Earth Magic in Focus: Emerald

May’s birthstone is emerald, a gemstone we’ve had the pleasure of crafting into some beautiful one-of-a-kind and bespoke pieces over the years. Here’s a detailed look at this mesmerizing stone.

Why are emeralds special?

One of the ‘big three’ precious colored gemstones, emerald is a beautiful and prized stone that has been adored for generations.

When it comes to emerald, this gemstone is all about the color. The classic emerald shade ranges from bluish green to pure green, with unmistakable bright and vivid tones.

While ‘emerald’ also calls to mind the geometric diamond cut, emeralds can be found in any cut, from round to fancy shapes, cabochon to faceted.

Emeralds are known for their inclusions. An eye-clean emerald is incredibly rare, so even the most beautiful stones are expected to have visible inclusions inside.

Inclusions are part of the stone’s beauty, sometimes referred to as an emerald’s jardin, French for garden, thanks to their mossy or plant-like appearance.

What do emeralds symbolize?

Emeralds make a romantic choice for engagement rings, thanks to their long history as a stone of love, unity, and truth.

In ancient times emerald was said to be the gemstone of the goddess Venus, herself a symbol of hope and love. This alone makes emerald the perfect choice for beginning a life together!

But with love aside, emeralds are also a buoyant talisman of rebirth and vitality.

Perhaps inspired by their vivid, spring-like hue, emeralds symbolize looking to the future for hope and renewal. They are a powerful choice to celebrate or encourage change and new starts.

What are the properties of emeralds?

Linked to the heart chakra, emeralds are said to help calm the emotions and bring balance to your mood.

For creatives and entrepreneurs, emeralds help support your vision, promoting inspiration and wisdom.

Said to help open the wearer up to commitment and friendship, emeralds are used to encourage the giving and receiving of love.

Are emeralds safe to use in jewelry?

Emeralds have a reputation for being a bit temperamental, but that doesn’t need to put you off your dream piece of emerald jewelry.

Contrary to rumor, emeralds are strong enough for engagement rings and regular wear. Emeralds will need a little more care than ruby, sapphire, or diamond, but can be loved and last just as long - as the abundance of vintage emerald pieces show! 

To understand emerald’s slightly higher risk of damage from impact, we need to look again at their inclusions. If an emerald’s inclusions reach the surface of the stone, they can make the gem more prone to cracking or chipping if dropped or knocked.

A skilled designer and setter will know how to set an emerald to best suit its individual properties. They’ll recognize problematic inclusions, and either steer you towards another stone or choose a protective setting like a bezel or halo.

While a pair of earrings or a necklace may be a safe choice for emeralds, there’s also no reason a well-designed and made emerald engagement ring shouldn’t be your forever piece.

How to care for emerald jewelry

Simply giving your emerald jewelry a little extra care when cleaning and wearing will help keep your piece beautiful forever.

First, always remove your emerald jewelry for exercise or other vigorous activities, especially rings or bracelets.

You should only clean your emerald jewelry with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Never soak your emerald, use an ultrasonic, or clean with harsh detergents or solvents. 

It is best to gently clean your emerald regularly, to avoid the build up of dirt that may tempt harsher cleaning.

If you would like SKYDOG to craft a piece of emerald jewelry or emerald engagement ring, you’re in safe and experienced hands.

Email jordan@skydogjewelry.com to find out more or begin your bespoke emerald engagement ring journey.