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.

Double Leaf and Emerald and Peridot Neckpiece

Designer: Lori Swartz

Tags

Shipping Date

Shipping Date

More in this Collection

Sterling Silver Leaves with Ruby on Hooks Earrings

Lori Swartz

Pink Chalcedony and Dots on Hooks Earrings

Lori Swartz

Talisman Posts Earrings

Lori Swartz

Branches Posts Earrings

Lori Swartz

22k Gold Balls on Swinging Branches Posts Earrings

Lori Swartz

Branches Post Earrings with 22k Gold Accents

Lori Swartz

22k gold and Silver Band

Lori Swartz

22k Gold and Silver Pyramid Ring

Lori Swartz

Double Textured Ring

Lori Swartz

Talisman with Rubies Bracelet

Lori Swartz

Sterling Silver Thick Bangle

Lori Swartz

Talisman with Embrald and Moonstones Necklace

Lori Swartz

Talisman with Ruby Necklace

Lori Swartz

Talisman with 22k Gold Necklace

Lori Swartz

Folded Band with 14k Gold Balls Size 9

Lori Swartz

10K Gold Molten Band

Lireille

10K Gold Molten Engagement Ring with Lab-Grown Diamond by Lori Swartz

Lireille

18k ball on folded ring

Lori Swartz

Twist Ring

Lori Swartz

Branches Ring

Lori Swartz

Crown Ring

Lori Swartz

Oval Concentric Circles Earrings

Lori Swartz

Tread off round hooks

Lori Swartz

Ball end hooks

Lori Swartz

18k balls on hook wasp nest

Lori Swartz

24k additions to hanging talisman hooks

Lori Swartz

24k Gold Additions to Branches Post Earrings

Lori Swartz

24k additions to fine silver cuff

Lori Swartz

18k balls and turquoise/jade on bangle

Lori Swartz

18k Gold Balls on Silver Bangle

Lori Swartz

Talisman Necklace with Circle

Lori Swartz

Talisman Necklace

Lori Swartz

Wasp Sculpture Necklace

Lori Swartz

Laced Section Necklace

Lori Swartz

Tread Hoops Earrings XXL 3"

Lori Swartz

Wasp Nest Cuff

Lori Swartz

Four Tiered Neckpiece on Silver Chain

Lori Swartz