Emerald May’s Birthstone

May’s Birthstone is the mighty green Emerald, its rich green colour represents the renewal and rebirth that comes with the changing of the seasons. It was chosen by The American National Retail Jewellers Association in 1912, to represent May, due to its links to the astrological signs Taurus and Gemini  

Our guide explains some of the interesting history behind the Emerald gemstone and why they make a great choice for a May birthday gift.

Emerald ties together Spring and Summer

 

Emeralds are synonymous with the colour green and represent the time of year when the trees are at their greenest and nature is lush and blooming.

The deep rich green colour of an Emerald gemstone is the symbol of life, often associated with nature and fertility. Emerald jewellery is perfect for May birthdays, especially for mums if they have a child born in May as it is also known to represent new beginnings.

Why is Ireland Called the Emerald Isle? 

Despite its name, Emeralds are not mined in Ireland, 90% of all the world's Emeralds come from Colombia. The name the Emerald Isle came from a poem by William Drennan where he referred to Ireland as the “Emerald of Europe” due to its rolling green hills and grassy pastures. Despite this confusion many happy couples have gifted each other emerald gemstone jewellery in honour of this well known title and continue to to this day.   

Do Emeralds have Mystical Powers? 

 

Emeralds have been worshipped for thousands of years, and have been associated with magic and mysticism across their ancient past. 

In ancient Greece and Rome, Emeralds represented truth and honesty. It was said that Emeralds could catch people in a lie and would crack or lose their shine if someone was being dishonest in the presence of the stone.

In the Middle Ages Emeralds were thought to protect the wearer against evil spirits. They were also thought to warn wearers against poison, shattering if poison was near.   

What to Consider when Choosing Emerald Jewellery?

 

If you’re choosing Emerald jewellery as a gift for a loved one with a May birthday, the following tips can help you get the most for your money, creating  a gift they will treasure forever. 

Emerald Colour 

Emeralds come in various shades from a rich vivid green to a slight blue-ish green. When choosing the colour Emerald, the most valuable diamonds are;

• A pure deep green, with slight blue undertones.
• The colour distributed evenly across the stone.

Emerald Clarity

Emeralds are rarely flawless and inclusions are more visible in Emeralds than they are with Diamonds and various other gemstones. However, certain inclusions can be seen as being desirable in emeralds, as the combination of Inclusions can appear as a delicate pattern within the stone. Some patterns are referred to as “jardin” which is French for garden, as the pattern of inclusions gives a nature inspired garden feel where the inclusions are reminiscent of leaves. That’s not to say that you should necessarily pick an Emerald with lots of inclusions, it’s all down to personal preference. Always check with your jeweller on the location of the inclusions as any touching or near the surface of the stone could potentially weaken the stones structure, always consult with your jeweller on the best options for you and the type of jewellery setting you want for your emerald as some settings can protect the gemstone better in daily wear.

Emerald Cut

You may have heard of the Emerald cut shape when referring to Diamonds, and it may not surprise you to learn that this cut of stone was originally designed to show off Emeralds as the emerald shape would minimise the loss of material from the rough stone. Emerald cuts are referred to as “step-cuts” which help to enhance the stones colour. But you don’t just have to go with an Emerald cut if you’re shopping for an Emerald gemstone, you can choose any shape you like, including round, oval or pear for instance. 

Emerald Hardness

Unlike Diamonds that have a hardness rating on the MoHs scale of 10, Emeralds are softer between 7.5-8 on the MoHs scale. (10 being the hardest wearing).  Because of this they are more fragile and susceptible to receiving knocks or chipping during daily wear if they are not set in a protective jewellery setting. The best jewellery or ring settings for an Emerald includes:

• Bezel settings: A bezel setting secures the stones vulnerable sides with a framed metal edge that surrounds the center stone protectively. It’s a great choice for a ring or jewellery piece you want to wear daily and need a hard wearing minimalist style jewellery setting.
• Halo setting: A halo setting allows the Emerald to be surrounded by smaller diamonds and more metal work which not only adds sparkle but gives the Emerald protection from knocks during daily wear.  
• Reinforced prongs: A prong setting where the stone is held where it’s most fragile on its cornered edges will help to protect the stone and is ideal for rings and jewellery settings however take caution wearing it daily if you have a hands-on job or lifestyle it might be best not to wear it on these days to protect the stone from accidental damage in this style of setting. 

Choosing a Diamond with Diamond Heaven

 

Need help choosing the perfect gift for a May birthday? Speak to our expert team at Diamond Heaven, and we’ll help you to choose the perfect piece of Emerald jewellery fit for any occasion and daily wear, whether you’re planning to propose, or looking for a gift to wow your loved one. Simply book an appointment today or visit us in-store.