May Birthstone - Emerald: Our Favourite Pieces

If diamond is the most popular birthstone, emerald is the most storied. It was Cleopatra’s favourite gem; it has been mined in the hills of Colombia since the sixteenth century; it sits in the crown jewels of nearly every European royal family; and it has been quietly chosen, for centuries, by women who wanted jewellery with depth of colour and character.

There is something about emerald that draws us in. The colour is never flat - every emerald has its own saturation, its own play of light, its own tiny inclusions the French refer to as "jardin", meaning garden. We have a soft spot for emerald jewellery at Ryan Thomas. 

For the month of May, these are six of the emerald pieces we’ve been reaching for.

Statement Necklaces

The 9ct Gold Emerald and Sapphire Showstopper Necklace is exactly what the name promises, the green and blue playing off each other in a way that is impossible to take your eyes off in person. Designed in-house and handcrafted by our goldsmiths in 9ct yellow gold, this showstopping necklace is the kind of piece bought for a significant occasion such as an anniversary or a milestone birthday.  This handcrafted piece is sure to become the centre of every conversation in the room.

For something more subtle but no less beautiful, the 9ct Gold Emerald and Diamond Halo Pendant is the pendant we suggest to a woman thinking about her first emerald piece. A single emerald sits at the centre, surrounded by a halo of diamonds that lifts the green and complements it perfectly.

Earrings

The Emerald and Diamond Floral Stud Earrings are exactly the pair we picture on a May bride, but equally on any woman who wants a pair of earrings that sit somewhere between statement and everyday. The flower-shaped setting arranges diamonds ina halo around a central emerald, creating a small bloom on the ear that reads as colourful up close and refined from a few steps away.

The Rings

Three rings, three very different takes on the same stone. The Emerald and Diamond Trilogy Ring pairs an emerald with two diamonds in a classic three-stone setting, sometimes described as representing past, present and future. It works beautifully as an engagement ring for a bride who wants something outside the traditional solitaire, and equally as a dress ring for someone already wearing a diamond on their left hand.

For a move vintage style  piece, the 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond and Emerald Ring  is a classic 18ct yellow gold ring centred with a spectacular emerald cut emerald. The emerald's yellow gold rubover setting contributes to its striking contrast with the surrounding flower-inspired diamond halo.

If you lean toward the period drama end of jewellery, the Art Deco 18ct Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring is the piece that always stops people in the showroom. Geometric lines, stepped settings, the distinctive Art Deco silhouette that has somehow stayed in style for nearly a hundred years now. Every piece in the Deco style feels like it has already lived a life before it reaches your hand.

A Note on Emerald

Emerald is a softer stone than diamond, sitting at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale rather than 10. That means it needs a little more care. We don’t recommend wearing emeralds in the shower, the gym, or when you’re gardening. It’s softness also means every emerald piece develops a story as it ages. The inclusions, the subtle colour shifts, the way the stone reflects the light of the room it’s in; these are the things that make emerald emerald.

All of our emeralds are sourced through suppliers we’ve worked with for decades, and we’re always happy to talk through the origin and characteristics of individual stones. Explore the collection or book an appointment to come and see the pieces in person in Clonmel.