Emerald Jewelry

Emerald offers a green no other stone quite matches, and it has been a fine-jewelry staple for centuries. It is the May birthstone, which makes it a natural choice for anyone born that month, and its color pairs well with both diamonds and yellow gold. The trade-off is that emerald asks for more thought than a diamond or sapphire. It is beryl, rated 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and natural stones usually contain visible inclusions. Those inclusions are expected and part of the stone's character, but they mean you should pick a protective setting for a ring and clean it gently. Chosen with that in mind, emerald is a rewarding stone to wear.

Both are available, and every product page states which one you are looking at. Several designs, such as the vintage scroll halo engagement ring, come in a natural version and a lab-grown version, so you can compare price and appearance in the same setting. A lab-grown emerald is the same mineral as a mined one, beryl, grown in a laboratory rather than formed in the earth. Choose based on budget and what matters to you about origin. Our catalog pieces are sold to a published specification and do not come with an individual grading report. If you want more information about a specific stone before ordering, write to concierge@diamondandsapphire.com and we will help.

Emerald grows in conditions that trap tiny fluids, crystals and fractures inside the stone, so natural emeralds are typically included. Gem traders sometimes call this the stone's garden. To improve clarity, natural emeralds are typically treated with oil, which fills fine surface-reaching fractures and makes them less visible. This is long-established practice. Oil can be affected by heat and harsh cleaning, which is why emerald should never go in an ultrasonic cleaner or a steamer, and why hot water and household chemicals are best avoided. Expect some inclusions in any natural emerald; they are part of how genuine emerald looks, and judging a stone by eye at normal viewing distance is the sensible standard.

It can be, with the right setting and habits. Emerald rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, softer than sapphire or diamond, and its inclusions make it more vulnerable to a sharp knock. A halo or half-bezel setting surrounds the stone with metal or diamonds and takes some of that contact for it, which is why those styles are common in our emerald engagement rings. Take the ring off for the gym, gardening, cleaning and heavy lifting, and have the setting checked now and then. Every piece is covered by a free lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, such as a prong failing under normal wear. Loss, theft and accidental damage are not covered.

Gently. Use lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap, a very soft brush, a quick rinse and a pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Do not soak it for long, and never use an ultrasonic cleaner or a steamer: the vibration and heat can affect the oil treatment and stress existing inclusions. Keep emerald away from household cleaners, chlorine and perfume sprays, and put the piece on after lotions and hairspray rather than before. Store each piece separately in a soft pouch so harder stones, including diamonds, cannot scratch it. Simple care like this keeps the green bright and the setting secure for years of wear.

Yellow gold is the traditional partner for emerald; its warmth deepens the green and gives a rich, classic look. White gold and platinum produce a cooler, crisper contrast and match diamond halos and accents closely. Rose gold is a softer option that suits warm skin tones. Most emerald pieces here are offered in 14K and 18K yellow, white and rose gold, and in platinum. 18K has more pure gold and a deeper color, 14K is slightly harder and costs less, and platinum is dense, naturally white and the premium choice. If you will wear the piece next to a wedding band or another ring, matching that metal usually looks best.

Emerald jewelry here starts from $399, and the price shown is the complete price of the finished piece. On rings, that includes the emerald and any diamond accents, so nothing is added at checkout for stones. The main price drivers are origin, size and setting. Natural emerald generally costs more than lab-grown in the same design. Larger stones, diamond halos and three-stone layouts cost more than a simple solitaire, and 18K gold and platinum cost more than 14K. Pendants and solitaire necklaces sit toward the lower end, while engagement rings sit higher. Selecting a metal on a product page updates the price for that exact version.

Start with how often the piece will be worn and how much contact it will take. Emerald rings get the most wear and benefit most from protective settings. Emerald earrings and emerald necklaces rarely meet a hard surface, which makes them the easiest way to enjoy emerald every day with little worry. Rings are made to the size you choose when you order; necklaces list their chain length on each product page; earring backs and closures vary by piece and are shown on each listing. For a gift where you do not know the ring size, earrings or a pendant are the simpler choice.

Most pieces are made to order and ship in about 5-10 business days; ready-to-ship pieces leave in 2-3 business days, and each product page shows its own timing. Shipping is complimentary, fully insured UPS Express with a signature required on delivery. If you need a piece by a specific date, check its product page before ordering and contact concierge@diamondandsapphire.com if timing is tight. Unworn pieces in original condition can be returned within 30 days of delivery; engraved and custom pieces are final sale. Rings are made to your size after you order, so they follow the made-to-order timeline.