Feeling green with envy? May’s birthstone is the elite emerald, beloved by royalty from Cleopatra to Queen Elizabeth. Emerald’s tones are perfect for spring, evoking lush vines, green grass, and bright yellow flowers. There are also fun variations to discover, such as the unique milky emerald.
I absolutely adore working with emeralds, which are considered one of the four precious gems. (The other three are diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.) Emeralds are classic choices for special occasions and are becoming very popular in engagement rings. But there’s no reason to shy away from them in more casual pieces. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make emeralds much more attainable and perfect for birthday gifts and everyday wear!
Kristen Baird and Emerald Jewelry
As you probably know by now, I’m obsessed with color, and there’s something so regal and luscious about the contrast between bright green emeralds and yellow gold. How gorgeous is this Horizon Mist ring in 18K yellow gold with an oval emerald? It’s sweet and petite yet still totally eye-catching. Plus, these rings are super-stackable with their “east/west” gemstone orientation. Emerald looks incredible when paired with other jewel tones, such as ruby. This grouping shows the Horizon Mist stacked with the cushion-cut emerald Pansy Petal and round-cut ruby Lily Pads rings (more on that later!)
If the brightness of that color combo isn’t to your taste, I also highly recommend pairing emeralds with sterling silver for a soothing, relaxed, color combination. (It’s also the perfect combo for any Savannah Ghost Pirates fans out there!👻) I love these Petite Lavender Gem Studs and matching Petite Lavender Gem Necklace. The playful florals are perfect for spring, making this an ideal gift for a May birthday! Fun fact about my lavender pieces: each one is crafted by hand, so no two florals are ever exactly the same.
Speaking of silver and emerald, check out what we did with this emerald, diamond, and silver redesign. This ring is extra-special because the clients actually mined the stone themselves!
I’m all about color when it comes to engagement rings and, as I mentioned before, emerald is becoming increasingly popular. If you’re a bride with a May birthday (or a May bride) consider an emerald stone instead of a diamond! The Raindrops on Roses and Pansy Petals rings are perfect examples of how this eye-catching stone possesses timeless charm while standing out in the crowd. Plus, how about this trio of Raindrops on Roses flanked by the Around the Cosmos and Rhythm of the Sea bands - all in buttery 18K yellow gold. Exquisite!
Emerald Alternatives
Because emerald is a precious stone, I am often asked about alternatives for May birthday jewelry. My first suggestion is the totally original milky emerald. Milky emeralds lack the clarity of fine emeralds, but they make up for that with interesting natural patterns and beautiful soft colors. I like these stones a lot, especially for cabochon jewelry, like this funky faceted cab necklace. They’re truly so unique and striking, and I wish more people incorporated them into jewelry!
For another potential substitution, consider green onyx. Green Onyx has a lovely deep green hue and is more durable than emerald gems. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for larger, chunky jewelry pieces in green. I use green onyx in my popular Splash Gem Cuffs and large rings like the Lily Burst ring. These would both make great gifts!
Caring for Emerald Jewelry
Emeralds are a 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes them softer than other precious stones. For this reason, it’s important to take a bit of extra care with your emerald jewelry. Take off your emerald jewelry before working out or engaging in other strenuous activities, and check them regularly for scratches. Make sure you clean your jewelry with warm water, dish soap, and a soft brush. Aside from that, you can enjoy wearing your emerald jewelry every day.
That's all for now! I hope you’ve learned a little more about emeralds and I can’t wait to see you showing off your gorgeous greens!
