Emerald

Emeralds captivate with their lush green hue, symbolizing renewal and love. As the green variety of the mineral beryl, emerald owes its colour to trace amounts of chromium or vanadium in its crystal structure. Emerald is a precious gemstone that has been cherished for millennia. Cleopatra famously adorned herself in emeralds and the gem remains May’s birthstone and a popular choice for those seeking a vintage or nature-inspired ring. On the Mohs scale, emerald’s hardness is about 7.5–8, but most emeralds contain natural inclusions (sometimes called “jardin,” or garden, for their mossy appearance). These inclusions mean emeralds can be more brittle than their cousin aquamarine, so protective settings (like halo or bezel designs) are often used for emerald engagement rings. Despite this relative fragility, a well-cut emerald of good quality exudes a rich, unmatched glow that many find irresistible. 

Hardness: 7.5–8 (Mohs scale); quite hard, though internal fractures are common. Due to inclusions, emeralds are more prone to chipping than other beryls; in fact, the impurities that create an emerald’s colour also weaken the crystal slightly. Routine care (gentle cleaning and avoiding rough wear) keeps an emerald ring sparkling for generations. 

Colour: Ranges from medium to dark green, often with a hint of blue-green. The finest emeralds display a vivid bluish-green to pure green with even saturation. Colour can vary by source: Colombian emeralds tend to have a pure vibrant green (often considered the gold standard), while Zambian emeralds may show a touch more blue. 

Origin: Colombia is famed for producing some of the world’s highest quality emeralds (Muzo and Chivor mines). Other significant sources include Zambia, Brazil and Zimbabwe, each contributing unique characteristics to their emeralds. Historical mines in Egypt supplied Cleopatra’s treasures, underscoring emerald’s ancient allure. 

Notable Fact: Emeralds have starred in many famous rings. For example, First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s engagement ring from JFK featured a 2.84-carat emerald paired with a 2.88-carat diamond in a distinctive toi et moi design. This iconic pairing of emerald and diamond highlights how emerald’s vibrant colour beautifully complements diamonds. Emeralds are also traditionally associated with hope and prosperity; a meaningful choice for an engagement gem.