May Birthstone: Celebrate Spring with Emerald Green

May 18, 2022

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

Welcome to emerald month! Lucky May babies get to call the bright green emerald their birthstone. Considered a “Cardinal Gem,” the emerald forms part of AN elite group of five gemstones that are traditionally considered more precious above all others: sapphire, ruby, emerald, amethyst and diamond. Delicate, mysterious and instantly recognisable due to their glowing green hue, emeralds are one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Varying from bright to dark green, this precious stone is one of the most sought-after gems in the world.

The perfect gem to help welcome spring, the evergreen emerald is known for symbolising rebirth and renewal. Its colour is often associated with the lush hues of nature’s foliage, making it one of the most used green gems in jewellery design. Its unique connection with nature is not only limited to its colour. Whilst most gems are reproached for having inclusions, many rare emeralds are in fact admired for their internal patterns. Nicknamed ‘emerald gardens’ or ‘Jardins’ in French, these inclusions are often described as looking mossy or garden-like. No two sets of ‘jardins’ are the same, and they can even be used to identify individual emerald gems.

David Morris emerald and diamond necklace

David Morris emerald and diamond necklace

Emerald jewellery dates as far back as ancient Egypt, Cleopatra was famed for having the world’s largest collection of emerald stones, wearing them as talismans during her religious and spiritual rituals. Ancient Egyptians would use beaded emerald necklaces to ward off evil energies and bring them serenity and peace of mind. Emeralds themselves were through to house powerful forces that could lead to healing and a sense of calm.

Boucheron New Maharajas High Jewellery necklace in emeralds and diamonds with a detachable front piece that converts into a brooch

Boucheron New Maharajas High Jewellery necklace in emeralds and diamonds with a detachable front piece that converts into a brooch

When it comes to jewellery design, emeralds have always been a popular choice, from classical Greek and Roman jewels to the pieces we see gracing the market today. Perhaps their most popular period to date was the Art Deco era of fine jewellery, a design movement that came to life in 1925 in Paris, France. This style embodied the modernity of the era. Bright and bold-shaped jewellery pieces with strong geometric symmetry adorned with diamonds and minimal colour became ‘du moment’. Designers from this movement would use the lush green tones of emeralds to soften their designs’ aesthetics.

Luvor necklace with 125.70 carats of Colombian emeralds and diamonds in white gold, alongside an emerald and diamond ring

Luvor necklace with 125.70 carats of Colombian emeralds and diamonds in white gold, alongside an emerald and diamond ring

Today emeralds are still one of the most popular gems used in jewellery design when an injection of colour is needed in a piece. The most recent high jewellery creation to come from FORMS, based in Hong Kong and Geneva, is a full suite of angular diamond jewellery with over 100 carats of Muzo emerald accents. The strong shapes and settings combined with the fluidity of the emeralds’ hues create softness in each piece. The same can be said for Tasaki’s latest Ritz Paris collection, which is inspired by the shape of the thorned rose. Each piece is a puzzle of step cut gems interlaced with emeralds.

FORMS emerald and diamond necklace with a matching pair of earrings

FORMS emerald and diamond necklace with a matching pair of earrings

When it comes to wearing an emerald jewel, we suggest you invest in a true statement piece. Because of their fragile nature, emeralds are best worn on special occasions, to add a powerful colour accent to an all-black ensemble or even to create contrast with other bright and bold colours. An eye-catching emerald cocktail ring from Van Cleef & Arpels or a pair of pavé emerald floral Dior earrings will do the trick just fine!

Graff

Graff

Graffabulous emerald and diamond necklace

Katherine Jetter

Katherine Jetter

Muzo Colombian emerald earrings with black enamel

Boodles

Boodles

Greenfire Colombian emerald earrings with pavé diamonds and brilliant-cut diamonds

Chopard

Chopard

Red Carpet Collection emerald earrings

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Gâteau d'amour ring with a 4.48 carat emerald in 18k yellow gold, set with diamonds and yellow sapphires

Boodles

Boodles

Cabochon emerald ring with diamonds in 18k white and yellow gold

Loren Nicole

Loren Nicole

Medici signet ring with a Muzo Colombian emerald

Marina B

Marina B

Fides ring with a Muzo Colombian emerald cabochon, turquoise cabochons and pavé diamonds in 18K yellow gold

Chopard

Chopard

Red Carpet Collection emerald and diamond necklace

Harwell Godfrey

Harwell Godfrey

Muzo Colombian emerald earrings in 18k yellow gold

Robinson Pelham

Robinson Pelham

Earrings with Muzo Colombian emeralds and multi-coloured gemstones

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Amore Trionfante ring with a central emerald surrounded by diamonds and purple sapphires in white gold

Cartier

Cartier

Sixième Sens par Cartier High Jewellery Synesthesie necklace with emeralds and diamonds

Bucherer Fine Jewellery

Bucherer Fine Jewellery

Soirée ring in white gold with brilliant-cut diamonds and oval-cut emeralds

Nour by Jahan

Nour by Jahan

Cleo emerald and diamond earrings

Bayco

Bayco

Emerald and diamond ring with 22 carats of cushion-cut Colombian emeralds and a double surround of pear-shaped diamonds

Piranesi

Piranesi

Trio emerald and diamond earrings

Gübelin

Gübelin

Drops of Water ring with a 2.88 carat emerald-cut Colombian emerald and two emerald-cut diamonds of 1.03 and 1.08 carats

Picchiotti

Picchiotti

Emerald and diamond brooch

Bulgari

Bulgari

Necklace with a 21.49 carat square-cut emerald, 222 buff-top emeralds of 12.81 carats, and 20.95 carats of pave-set diamonds with mother of pearl elements in platinum

Hoorsenbuhs

Hoorsenbuhs

Infinite emerald necklace in 18k yellow gold

Ondyn

Ondyn

Muzo Colombian emerald and diamond bracelet in 18k yellow gold

Marco Bicego: Italian Icon Launches its First High Jewellery Collection

continue reading

Verified in Vegas: The Biggest Jewellery Trends of the Couture Show 2025

The Couture Show presents a curated view of the best in craftsmanship, design, fresh ideas and originality, which is why it’s such a vital place to forecast the ‘next big thing’. Here’s what I have gleaned from this year’s State-side events

by Sarah Jordan

Instant Charm: Celebrating New Creations with Karina Choudhrie Jewels

Let's take a closer look at the latest pieces that have emerged from Karina's incredible imagination…

by Katerina Perez

Key Facts About Gold: An Ancient Symbol of Power and Luxury

In an age where digital currencies rise and fall, gold remains a universal symbol of stability, beauty, and lasting worth. It is worn on the skin, locked in vaults, and passed down through generations as a living legacy.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Little Legends: The History and Power of Pinky Rings

Pinky rings have long carried cultural weight - from Ancient Mesopotamian seals to Egyptian signets and Japanese kamon heirlooms. Today, the style is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to contemporary designers and a growing list of high-profile wearers, including Meghan Markle, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski

by Joshua Hendren

Forever in Bloom: The Timeless Charm of Flowers in Jewellery

Flowers may fade in a vase, but flowers in jewellery—they bloom eternally

by Hirshi Sujanti

Double Vision: The Art and Allure of Reversible Jewellery

With versatility driving today’s jewellery trends, reversible designs are enjoying a quiet resurgence. From transformable lockets to rotating rings and earrings that change with a flip, these reversible jewellery creations reflect a growing desire for multi-dimensional design.

by Joshua Hendren

Coloured Diamonds: Why They’re Rare, Valuable and Incredibly Collectible

In the world of diamonds, white may be the standard, but colour is where the magic really happens. From blush pinks and oceanic blues to canary yellows and rare violets, coloured diamonds are nature's most extravagant anomaly

by Claire Roberts

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.