May birthstone is Emerald. Emerald is a precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. Most emeralds are highly included.

Emeralds, like all colored gemstones, are graded using four basic parameters–the four Cs of connoisseurship: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Normally, in the grading of colored gemstones, color is by far the most important criterion. However, in the grading of emeralds, clarity is considered a close second. A fine emerald must possess not only a pure verdant green hue as described below, but also a high degree of transparencyto be considered a top gem.

In the 1960s, the American jewelry industry changed the definition of emerald to include the green vanadium-bearing beryl. As a result, vanadium emeralds purchased as emeralds in the United States are not recognized as such in the UK and Europe. In America, the distinction between traditional emeralds and the new vanadium kind is often reflected in the use of terms such as "Colombian emerald".

In gemology, color is divided into three components: hue, saturation, and tone. Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the primary hue necessarily being green. Yellow and blue are the normal secondary hues found in emeralds. Only gems that are medium to dark in tone are considered emeralds; light-toned gems are known instead by the species name green beryl. In addition, a fine emerald will be saturated and have a hue that is bright (vivid).

Emeralds tend to have numerous inclusions and surface breaking fissures. Unlike diamonds, where the loupe standard, i.e. 10× magnification, is used to grade clarity, emeralds are graded by eye. Thus, if an emerald has no visible inclusions to the eye (assuming normal visual acuity) it is considered flawless. Stones that lack surface breaking fissures are extremely rare and therefore almost all emeralds are treated ("oiled", see below) to enhance the apparent clarity. Other treatments, for example the use of green-tinted oil, are not acceptable in the trade. The relative non-uniformity motivates the cutting of emeralds in cabochon form, rather than faceted shapes. Faceted emeralds are most commonly given an oval cut, or the signature emerald cut, a rectangular cut with facets around the top edge.

Emerald in Matrix Necklace with Gold and Silver Chain

Designer: Peg Fetter

Tags

Shipping Date

Shipping Date

More in this Collection

Hand-woven Choker with Natural Coral

Monica Schmid

22k Gold Bezel Set Solitaire Ring with Radiant Cut Natural Emerald

Lireille

14K Gold Solitaire Oval Lab-Grown Emerald Engagement Ring

Lireille

Pearl and Natural Emerald 14k Gold Post Earrings

Interworld Designs

14k White Gold Emerald and Diamond Post Earrings

Interworld Designs

Natural Nephrite Jade Stud Earrings Oval Cabochon

Lireille

14K Gold Emerald Curb Link Bracelet

Interworld Designs

14K Gold Curb Chain Necklace with Emerald

Lireille

Hexagonal Emerald Sun Studs

Lika Behar

Talisman with Embrald and Moonstones Necklace

Lori Swartz

Lavender Carved Floral Jade Pendant

Rita Cheung

Freshwater Pearl Cluster Necklace with Colombian Emerald

Anchovy

Hexagonal Emerald Sun Earrings - 24K Gold & Oxidized Silver

Lika Behar

Lika Behar Sarah Necklace

Lika Behar

14K Gold 0.26 CTW Natural Emerald Bezel-Set Earrings

Lireille

14K Gold Oval Emerald and Diamond Accented Ring

Lireille

Engravable Four-Sided Vertical Bar Necklace

Lireille

14K Yellow Gold Nameplate Bar Necklace with Diamond or Birthstone Accent

Lireille

Vintage Inspired 14K Gold 1.55 mm Emerald Anniversary or Wedding Band

Lireille

18k balls and turquoise/jade on bangle

Lori Swartz

14K Gold Natural Emerald Baguette Bracelet

Lireille

14K Gold Princess-cut Natural Emerald Family Stackable Ring

Lireille

14K Yellow Natural Emerald Family Stackable Ring

Lireille

14K Gold Natural Emerald Bezel-Set Beaded Necklace

Lireille

14K Gold Princess-cut Natural Emerald and Diamond Necklace

Lireille

14K Gold Natural Emerald Bezel-set Stud Earrings

Lireille

14K Gold Emerald Beaded Ring

Lireille

14K White Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Stackable Ring

Lireille

14K Yellow Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring

Lireille

14K Gold Natural Emerald Screw Necklace

Lireille

14K Gold Beaded Disc Necklace

Lireille

18k Gold and Silver Open Wrap Family Ring for Ryan and Emma

Shimara Carlow

Red Coral Bracelet with Freshwater Pearls and Adjustable Gold-filled Chain

Anchovy

18k Yellow Gold Green Jadeite Jade Pendant

Mason Kay

18k Yellow Gold Ice Jadeite Jade Marquise Ring

Mason Kay

18k Yellow Gold Yellow Jadeite Jade Buddha Pendant

Mason Kay

18k Yellow Gold Green Jadeite Jade Carved Pendant

Mason Kay