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Birthstone jewellery: Vibrant emerald jewels for May
The verdant green of the emerald reflects the blooming flora and fauna of May, and so it makes perfect sense that this is the gemstone which represents the transitional late spring, early summer season.
The etymology of the word emerald is derived from the word “smaragdus,” literally, “green” in Greek. As with all gems, there are multiple symbolic beliefs which have been attached to the emerald: it is a symbol of rebirth and is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and imbue the wearer with the benefits of youth. Emerald was also historically the stone of the goddess Venus, therefore emeralds are said to bring passion and love.
Adler necklace and earrings, both with pear cut emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds in 18k white gold
The conventional wisdom concerning emeralds is that the fewer inclusions there are, the higher the value of the emerald. This is simply due to the rarity of emeralds without many inclusions. However, since these gemstones have been an object of desire since the ancient times (Cleopatra was said to be fanatical about emeralds) many admirers find beauty and desirability within these optical characteristics.
Bayco necklace with carved Zambian emeralds, brilliant and pear cut diamonds in 18k white gold
As with so many gemstones, the fundamental power of the colour depends on the intelligent cut of rough crystals. The goal of each gem cutter is to bring out a depth of tone and intriguing visual charisma of an emerald, that is why they are fashioned in ways that emphasise their beauty. As a rule, less included emeralds are faceted in various shapes, more included ones are cut into cabochon form and some are even carved for an added visual effect.
If you – or a loved one – are lucky enough to have been born in the sunny month of May, consider gifting a piece of jewellery to yourself – or them – that celebrates the deep green beryl!
Cindy Chao •
Cindy Chao •
2019 Black Label Masterpiece VII ‘Emerald Architectural Necklace’ with a pair of emerald cut Colombian emeralds of 100ct and 99ct respectively, 10,000 green emerald beads, custom baguette cut emeralds, conch pearls, sapphires and diamonds
Cartier •
Cartier •
'Résonances de Cartier' ring with sugarloaf emerald, brilliant cut diamonds, coral beads and onyx in 18k yellow gold
Boghossian •
Boghossian •
'Kissing Gems' hoop earrings with emeralds and diamonds in 18k white gold
Ara Vartanian •
Ara Vartanian •
Drop earrings with pear cut emeralds in 18k yellow gold
Coomi •
Coomi •
‘Bloom’ earrings from the ‘Coomi X Muzo’ collection with 13.20ct Muzo Colombian trapiche emeralds, 3.30ct cabochon emeralds, 1.05ct diamonds and black enamel in 20k yellow gold
Bulgari •
Bulgari •
High Jewellery collection ring with 1.20ct emerald bead, 2.18ct buff top emeralds and 2.74ct diamonds in 18k white gold
Chopard •
Chopard •
‘Green Carpet’ collection watch with Gemfields Zambian marquise and brilliant cut emeralds and diamonds in Fairmined 18k white gold
Anna Hu •
Anna Hu •
‘Aria’ ring with 22.82ct cabochon emerald, paraiba tourmalines, sapphires, diamonds and garnets in 18k white gold
Chopard •
Chopard •
Ring from the 'Magical Setting' collection with emeralds and diamonds in 18k white gold
Louis Vuitton •
Louis Vuitton •
'Chain Attraction' collection ring with emerald, diamond and onyx in 18k white gold
Harry Winston •
Harry Winston •
'Secret Cluster' drop earrings with pear cut emeralds and marquise, pear and brilliant cut diamonds in 18k white gold
Chaumet •
Chaumet •
‘Pastorale Anglaise’ necklace with emerald cut Colombian Muzo emerald, Zambian emeralds, rubies, sapphires, yellow sapphires and diamonds in lacquer, 18k white and yellow gold
Colette •
Colette •
‘Swirl’ earrings with 1.46ct emerald and pearls in 18k blackened gold
Fabergé •
Fabergé •
‘Charmeuse’ ring from the ‘Emotion’ collection with central oval cut emerald and more than 300 pavé set emeralds in 18k yellow gold
MaximiliaN •
MaximiliaN •
Ring with sugarloaf emerald and diamonds in 18k white and yellow gold
Van Cleef & Arpels •
Van Cleef & Arpels •
Bracelet from the ‘Emeraude en Majesté’ collection with emeralds, sapphires and diamonds in 18k white gold
Dior •
Dior •
‘Dentelle Guipure’ ring with hexagonal step cut emerald and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
House of Meraki •
House of Meraki •
‘Medusa’ ring with 17.55ct carved Zambian emerald, 400 Russian diamonds and brilliant cut emeralds in 18k yellow gold
Verdura •
Verdura •
‘Scarf’ necklace with 568ct cabochon emeralds in 18k yellow gold
Graff •
Graff •
'Disco Butterfly' watch with emeralds and diamonds set in 18k white gold
David Webb •
David Webb •
'X' ring with cabochon emerald and brilliant cut diamonds in 18k gold and platinum
House of Garrard •
House of Garrard •
Ring with 3.08ct cushion cut emerald, emeralds and diamonds in 18k white gold
Stenzhorn •
Stenzhorn •
'Mosaic' ring from the 'Classical' collection with emeralds and diamonds in 18k white gold
David Morris •
David Morris •
Bangle with 42.34ct emerald cut Colombian emeralds and diamonds set in 18k white gold
Jessica McCormack •
Jessica McCormack •
'Heart' ring with brilliant cut emeralds in 18k yellow gold
Pasquale Bruni •
Pasquale Bruni •
‘Giardini Segreti’ collection ring with step cut 20ct emerald and diamonds in 18k white gold
Stenzhorn •
Stenzhorn •
'Diana' necklace from the 'Goddess' collection with approx. 5.00ct emeralds and 11.00ct diamonds in 18k white gold
Gübelin •
Gübelin •
Drop earrings with pear cut emeralds, diamonds and rubies in 18k white gold
Valani Atelier •
Valani Atelier •
The 'Tidore' emerald pendant with 2.86 cts and 1.64 ct emeralds as well as 1.90 cts of diamonds set in 18K white gold
Nina Runsdorf •
Nina Runsdorf •
Earrings with 56.40ct cabochon emerald and 2.00ct marquise diamond in 18k white gold
Adler •
Adler •
High jewellery earrings with pear-shaped emeralds and diamonds
Ringo •
Ringo •
Sergey Korolyov’s ‘Symbols of Russia’ pendant from ‘Matrena de Ural’ collection with 18.04ct Ural mountain emerald, rubies and diamonds in 18k white and rose gold
Moussaieff •
Moussaieff •
Bangle with 71.34ct emeralds, diamonds and Paraiba tourmalines in 18k white gold
Fabergé •
Fabergé •
‘Lady Libertine II’ timepiece with hand carved rough emeralds and diamonds in 18k yellow gold on Gemfields’ Inkalamu, the 5,655 carat Zambian ‘Lion’ emerald
Mellerio dits Meller •
Mellerio dits Meller •
'Lily’ ring from the ‘Médicis’ collection with 2.82ct emerald and diamonds in 18k white gold
WORDS
Jodie Smith is a San Francisco based writer, trend forecaster and creative consultant specialising in the jewellery and luxury industries.
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