All About Emerald Rings

THE BASICS--

Celebrations in May are enriched by this month's signature stone, the luxurious and elegant emerald. There is much more to this precious gem than its familiar color, however. How much do you really know about emeralds? There is no better gemstone to represent the beauty of spring and the freshness of the season than emerald, the official birthstone of May.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW--

In this guide, we will explain the following:

• About Emeralds
• Color
• Mines
• Structure
• Meaning and Symbolism
• May Birthstone
• Love and Romance
• Rebirth and Renewal
• Healing and Well Being
• Wisdom and Insight
• Birthstone of May
• Emerald Rings and Jewelry
• Other May Birthstones
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Is an Emerald Ring Right For Me?

About Emeralds

Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl and is the most valuable green gemstone. Emerald hues can range from a lighter yellow-green to deep, dark green with hints of blue. Yellow-green stones are considered less valuable, while the darkest greens with blue undertones are the rarest and most valuable. The stone's overall green coloration is caused by chromium and vanadium impurities that are incorporated into its hexagonal crystal structure.

Color

Emeralds range in color from light yellow-green to deep, rich green with blue undertones. The most valuable emeralds have a vivid, dark green hue, while lighter or more yellowish-green stones are considered less valuable.

Mines

The majority of the world's high quality emeralds are mined in Colombia, with another popular and productive mine in Zambia. These are widespread stones, however, and emerald mines are also found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Egypt, Australia, China, France, Austria, Italy, Norway, Madagascar, Canada and many other nations. In the United States, emeralds are found in Connecticut, Montana, Nevada and both North and South Carolina.

Structure

Emerald's overall green coloration is caused by chromium and vanadium impurities that are incorporated into its hexagonal crystal structure. Emeralds have a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8. This means they are relatively hard and durable, but not as hard as diamonds, sapphires, or rubies.

While emeralds are suitable for most types of jewelry, their hardness means they can still be susceptible to scratching and chipping if not handled with care. That crystal structure gives emeralds good hardness, but because these stones are prone to inclusions, they are more brittle than many gems and can fracture more easily under pressure. Skillful cutting, however, can maximize this stone's beauty and durability without sacrificing its color.

Meaning and Symbolism

With their rich green color, emeralds have long been associated with the rebirth, fertility and renewal of the earth and nature. These stones were buried with Egyptian monarchs to offer protection and peace in the afterlife, and today they are believed to offer good fortune and mental acuity to the wearer.

Other properties associated with emeralds include loyalty, relaxation and serenity, and they have been believed to have medical properties such as calming anxiety, relieving depression and alleviating different health concerns, including stomach problems and epilepsy. Emeralds are also believed to help align the chakras of the heart for both physical and emotional well-being.

Love and Romance

Emeralds are often associated with love and romance. They are believed to promote loyalty and domestic bliss, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and anniversary gifts.

Rebirth and Renewal

The vibrant green color of emeralds is symbolic of spring and renewal. Emeralds are thought to bring freshness, vitality, and growth, symbolizing new beginnings and a rejuvenation of the spirit.

Healing and Well-Being

Emeralds have long been associated with healing properties, both physical and emotional. They are believed to have a calming effect, promote emotional balance, and aid in the healing of the heart.

Wisdom and Insight

Emeralds are traditionally believed to enhance wisdom, insight, and mental clarity. They are thought to promote intellectual growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

May Birthstone

In addition to its symbolism as May's birthstone, the emerald is also the symbolic stone of the astrological sign Cancer. This stone is also the anniversary gemstone for the twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries, no matter what month those anniversaries may be in. Emerald is the official birthstone for the month of May. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, it is believed to bring luck, happiness, and prosperity to those born in this month.

Emerald Jewelry

Emeralds have featured in different types of jewelry for thousands of years, from the crown jewels of different dynasties around the world to religious adornments, weaponry accents and a wide variety of other pieces. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt was fond of emeralds, and the Muzo Indians of Colombia also revered these stones. Today, many celebrities favor emeralds for large statement pieces such as pendants or brooches.

To combat this stone's brittle nature, the emerald cut shape – a rectangle with cropped corners – was designed to minimize pressure placed on the stone during the cutting process while still maximizing the beauty and color of the cut gem. Modern cutting techniques have evolved to treat emeralds more delicately without losing precise cuts, and these stones can be found in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, both as center or focal stones as well as accents.

Emeralds are not only popular in rings, but also in earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other pieces. They are often paired with diamonds to provide additional sparkle in a more detailed setting.

Is an Emerald Ring Right For Me?

No matter what you may be celebrating in May, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, graduation or other special event, see our complete collection of emerald rings and other emerald jewelry to find a perfect piece. If you don’t find exactly what you're looking for, explore our collection of vintage emerald rings to find the perfect gemstone ring for you.

Suzanne Sachs