Club
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.
Related Articles
Wow Effect: Exploring the Inventive Artistry of Serafino Consoli
While doing my duties as a judge at the 2025 Inhorgenta Awards, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the team behind Serafino Consoli – an Italian brand with a unique claim to fame in the high jewellery world.
Essential Passion: The Artistic Pursuits of Mehragin Rahmati of Mergin Jewelry
Jewellery can be thoughtful and insular, or it can be effusive and bold and full of character that makes it stand out from the crowd. I would put the colourful and charismatic creations of Mehragin Rahmati into the latter camp because of their attention-grabbing silhouettes, unusual structures, and confident mineral palettes.
Maestro of Masterpieces: New High Jewels in the Picchiotti Classics Collection
Ahead of this year’s Couture show in Las Vegas, Picchiotti has revealed some of the latest additions to its high jewellery repertoire, including new suites in the Picchiotti Classics collection.
Reasons to Shop: The Moments that Demand a Fresh Jewellery Purchase
There's no rule that says you need a reason to buy a new piece of jewellery, but sometimes, a little encouragement makes the decision even more exciting. If you're looking for a playful excuse to book your next jewellery appointment, here are a few irresistible reasons to treat yourself.
Grecian Glamour: The Designers Preparing to Spotlight Greek Style at JCK Las Vegas
Recently, I was approached by the organisers of a special ‘Greek mission’ who are supporting 11 independent designers and brands as they seek to make their mark at JCK Las Vegas from June 6-9, 2025. Below, I would like to introduce you to each of the businesses participating in this incredible showcase of Greek design, ingenuity and craftsmanship.
Naked Attraction: The Best High Jewellery of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Here’s a rundown of some of the best Cannes jewellery looks from the 78th annual festival (May 13-24), including the likes of Dakota Johnson, Angelina Jolie, and Natalie Portman, who all make striking jewellery the star of their ensembles
In Conversation: Discussing Paraiba — The Legacy of a Color with Vogue Singapore
The conversation encouraged both myself and Kevin Ferreira, my co-author, to recall exactly why we wrote Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color, and I am pleased to share more with you below
Semi-Precious vs Precious Gemstones: Why the Old Labels No Longer Work
I can’t count the number of times I’ve asked myself: what really sets so-called precious and semi-precious stonesapart? Is it their rarity? Colour? Durability? Value? Or is it simply tradition—an outdated hierarchy we’ve inherited without question
Larger than Life: New Mineral Masterpieces and Global Adventures with Margot McKinney
Let’s take a closer look at the pieces and places that have helped to shape the Margot McKinney brand over the last 12 months, including the rather sensational Marina, Aurora and Bloem necklaces
Male Adornment: The Evolution of Men’s Jewellery from the 1400s Until Today
Men's jewellery is often overlooked, yet its history is both rich and cyclical. Over the past six centuries, the popularity of male adornments has fluctuated, reflecting shifts in fashion, status, and cultural values. Here, Amanda Triossi examines the reasons behind male jewellery, along with its periods of abundance and decline.
Perfect Proposal: The Top 10 Engagement Ring Mistakes to Avoid
The moment you start thinking about proposing, everything shifts. Ordinary things become significant: dinner out, a walk in the park, a glance at their jewellery box. And then comes "the ring": a symbol of love, yes, but also a silent spokesperson for everything you feel and hope for. No pressure, right?
Latest Stories
Club
Add articles and images to your favourites. Just
Legacy of Love:The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani
During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…
Jewels Katerina Perez Loves
Continue Reading
Club
Club
Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book
Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color
Brand Focus: Cartier
Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox
Style Guide
Club
Club
Club
Club
Club
