Emerald: The stone of May

Many of us wear jewelry crafted from different metals and set with colorful precious stones such as emerald, diamond, or ruby—yet few of us know these gems are associated with each month of the year. In this way, a stone’s color becomes a symbol for the one who wears it and a message to those around.

May is ruled by the emerald, a green precious stone considered one of the most valuable alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire. Adored by Cleopatra and regarded by the Egyptians and Greeks as a symbol of eternal life, the emerald’s lively color enlivens any outfit and shines a spotlight on the person who wears it.

This month, we’re bringing you insights about emerald jewelry, care tips to help you enjoy the stone’s color for as long as possible, plus the most celebrated versions of the emerald ring!

Emerald — between history and legend

Derived from the Greek “smaragdos” and the Latin “smaragdus,” meaning “green stone” or “the goddess of all green-colored stones,” the emerald is a unique gem, a symbol of the gods. Even the beautiful Cleopatra chose it as her favorite stone, and legend says that both she and her cats wore jewelry with emerald.

 

 

The emerald represents wisdom and harmony, dispelling negative energies. It protects love and the bond between spouses, marking the 55th wedding anniversary — a thoughtful gift could be an emerald ring.

Emerald is a mineral from the beryl family, whose color ranges between red, yellow, green, or blue. The stone’s value is influenced by:

1. Color - combinations of chromium, vanadium, and iron create the shades of green. A deeper, darker color increases the stone’s value, whether used in necklaces, earrings, or an emerald ring.
2. Clarity - influenced by the stone’s inclusions, defining its quality according to the International Gem Society: AAA+ grade contains the extremely rare stones, while grade C includes lower-quality stones.
3. Size - determines the carat weight and the price of the emerald. There are also small stones with exceptional clarity and color that are just as valuable, such as those from the Sandawana Mine, Zimbabwe.

Cut - depends on size, durability, and inclusions, as well as the jeweler’s craftsmanship.

Emerald jewelry care guide

Like any precious stone, the emerald should be cleaned periodically and kept in a suitable environment. The emerald stone has a hardness of 7,5-8 on the Mohs scale, the system used to measure a material’s resistance to shocks or scratches.

We recommend storing emerald jewelry separately from your other jewelry to avoid scratches, and removing them before showering, going to the sauna, doing outdoor activities, or using cosmetic products and creams.

It’s important to avoid ultrasonic cleaning, which can deepen fissures in the emerald and damage it over time. The best method is to consult a professional jeweler, who knows precious stones and metals and can use specialized products. 

You can clean jewelry with emerald at home as well, keeping a few tips in mind:

• Start by wiping the piece with a soft cloth to remove built-up dirt;
• Soak the jewelry for a few minutes in a bowl of lukewarm water with liquid soap;
• Gently brush the entire surface with a soft brush, without scrubbing hard. If you notice any spots, we recommend visiting a jeweler!
• Rinse away impurities and soap by immersing the jewelry in another bowl of lukewarm water;
• Dry the piece with a soft cloth.

 

The emerald ring — celebrities’ favorite accessory!

Emerald is a gemstone that surrounds you with positive energy and the vibrations of nature, bringing you into harmony with your inner self. Considered a symbol of stability, the emerald quickly became a favorite among celebrities.

The First Lady of the United States, Jackie Kennedy, was proposed to with an emerald and diamond ring by John F. Kennedy in 1953. Actress Halle Berry said “yes” wearing a yellow gold ring with an emerald and two diamonds. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has a collection of engagement rings, including an emerald one, a testament to her bond with her husband, footballer David Beckham.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor owned an impressive collection of emerald jewelry: a platinum brooch with emeralds and diamonds, earrings, a fabulous emerald-and-diamond necklace with a detachable element that could be worn as a brooch and, of course, the famous emerald-and-diamond ring, a gift from actor Richard Burton.

A symbol of power and wisdom, the emerald has fascinated since ancient times with its green color and the properties it was believed to have. If you want to give an emerald gift, choose a timeless accessory from Indira’s collections!