Emeralds: The May Birthstone and the Gemstone That Defines Green
When you think of emerald green, what comes to mind? A dense green forest? The jewels once worn by Cleopatra? Or perhaps it simply evokes a sense of calm?
As the birthstone for May, emerald has long been associated with renewal, balance, and a soothing effect on the wearer. In fact, the colour green has often been studied for its calming qualities, with links to stress reduction and even easing eye strain.
Emeralds are almost instantly recognisable, having held their place among the world’s most beloved gemstones for centuries. Even the word “emerald” has an interesting origin, derived from the ancient Greek word smaragdos, meaning “green gem”.
After millennia of adoration, Queen Cleopatra’s reign helped cement the association between emeralds and royalty. According to GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, emeralds were once believed to cure diseases such as cholera and malaria. Today, emeralds are traditionally given to mark 20th and 35th wedding anniversary milestones.
At Uwe Koetter, gemstones are selected not only for their beauty, but also for how they will live within a piece of jewellery. With emeralds, this means understanding their colour, origin, natural inclusions, and the best way to wear them.
What Is an Emerald?
Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl. Its distinctive colour comes from trace elements within the stone, most commonly chromium and vanadium. This is what gives emerald its vivid green appearance, ranging from bright, fresh green to deeper bluish-green tones. GIA also mentions that Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote in his encyclopedic Natural History that “nothing greens greener.”
Unlike diamonds, which are prized for brilliance and hardness, emeralds are loved for their depth of colour, natural personality, and unmistakable presence. Their beauty lies not in perfection, but in character. Something we hold in high regard at Uwe Koetter.
Are Emeralds Suitable for Everyday Jewellery?
Emeralds measure 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. While this makes them durable, they are softer and more delicate than diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Because emeralds often contain inclusions, they can also be more susceptible to chipping or scratching if worn in high-impact jewellery.
For this reason, emeralds are not always recommended for everyday rings, such as engagement rings, especially if the wearer has an active lifestyle or works with their hands.
Emeralds are often better suited to jewellery that is worn as earrings and pendants. These pieces allow the gemstone to be worn and admired while reducing the likelihood of damage.
That said, emeralds can still be designed into an engagement ring. It just means that the design, setting, and proper care, is a thoughtful part of the creation process.
Where Are Emeralds Found?
Some of the world’s finest emeralds come from Colombia, a country long associated with exceptional green stones for more than 500 years. Interestingly, the slight variation in colour within different emerald stones is often dependent on where the stone is found. For example, mining sites in Colombia like Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez are home to generally darker tones of green emeralds with some sporting a slightly bluish green and others yellowish green. Emeralds are also found in several other parts of the world, including Zambia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
At Uwe Koetter, the emeralds we use depend on availability from our trusted gemstone suppliers. Our focus is always on selecting the best quality stones available, taking into account colour, clarity, character, and suitability for the final design.
Uwe Koetter Ready-to-Wear Emerald Jewellery collection.
Our ready to wear collection features a range of emeralds in different designs. Whether chosen as a birthstone, a meaningful gift, or a personal addition to a fine jewellery collection, an emerald carries a sense of individuality that feels both classic and expressive.
These are currently available for purchase on our website or our showroom; however, these designs can also spark inspiration for a truly unique design of your own, where you can choose each detail in a custom design. We have the unique ability to create pieces that tell your story in a beautiful and personal way.
Gemstones Often Confused with Emeralds
Because emeralds are so closely associated with the colour green, other green gemstones are sometimes mistaken for them. While these stones can be beautiful in their own right, each has its own tone, structure, and character.
Emerald vs Peridot
Peridot is usually the easiest to distinguish from emerald. It has a more yellow-green appearance, often appearing brighter and lighter in tone. Emeralds, by contrast, usually have a richer green colour and can lean towards a bluish-green rather than a yellow-green.
Peridot has its own fresh, lively beauty, but it does not have the same depth of green that emerald is known for.
Emerald vs Tourmaline
Tourmaline is an incredibly versatile gemstone and can occur in almost every colour, including green. Some green tourmalines may appear similar to emerald at first glance, especially when they have a bluish-green tone.
One of the features that can help differentiate tourmaline is colour zoning. This means a single stone may show different shades or colours within the same gem. Green tourmalines also often have a more muted forest or olive-green appearance compared to the deep, rich colour associated with emeralds.
Emerald vs Tsavorite
Tsavorite is a green variety of garnet and is one of the gemstones most often compared to emerald because of its colour. Tsavorite can appear bright and vivid, sometimes with fewer inclusions than emerald.
The key difference often lies in tone and character. Tsavorites tend to appear brighter and cleaner, while emeralds usually have a deeper, richer green and more visible inclusions. These inclusions are part of what gives emerald its unmistakable personality.
How to Care for Emerald Jewellery
Emeralds require thoughtful care. Because many emeralds contain natural inclusions and may be treated to improve their appearance, they should be handled more gently than harder gemstones.
Avoid exposing emerald jewellery to harsh chemicals, sudden temperature changes, or ultrasonic cleaners. The safest way to clean an emerald is usually with warm, soapy water, a soft brush, and gentle handling.
When not being worn, emerald jewellery should be stored separately from harder gemstones to avoid scratches. Rings should be removed during activities where the stone could be knocked, such as exercise, gardening, cleaning, or working with hard surfaces.
With the right care, emerald jewellery can be treasured for generations.
Discover the Beauty of Emeralds at Uwe Koetter
Emeralds have captivated jewellery lovers for centuries, and it is easy to see why. Their colour is rich, their history is layered, and their natural inclusions give each stone a character of its own.
Whether you are drawn to emeralds as the May birthstone, as a symbolic gift, or as a gemstone for a bespoke piece, our team can guide you through the process of selecting a stone and designing jewellery that honours its beauty.
Explore our ready-to-wear emerald jewellery online or visit our Cape Town showroom to learn more about emeralds, bespoke design, and fine jewellery crafted with intention.
