May Archives - Knox Jewelers

Emerald-Map-1024x720 Unique Engagement Rings — GIA Emerald Map

Emerald, the vibrant green to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl, is the gemstone traditionally considered the birthstone of May. Beryl is a colorful family of gems, ranging from the pastel shades of blue aquamarine and pink morganite to the deeper tones of yellow heliodor. All beryl gemstones possess similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. The gemstone emerald is expected to hold naturally occurring inclusions. Inclusions density will vary, but they are accepted in this gemstone and have even earned the nickname “jardin”, which is french for garden.

Emerald can occur in hues from green to slightly bluish green with its most desirable color being pure green with vivid color and saturation. The gemstone receives its intense color from trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.

Emeralds can grow in a variety of locations but it occurs mostly commonly in pegmatite bearing granite. Listed below are the locations where emeralds naturally occur and are mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones. An emerald’s color reflects the beginning greens of spring, which makes it the perfect choice for the birthstone of May.

Colombia – Columbia is the most famous source of emeralds that there has ever been.

Brazil – Strict environmental laws makes Brazil’s Belmont Emerald Mine one of the most eco-friendly colored stone mining operations worldwide.

Israel – The country of Israel is famous for its emerald cutting operations.

Zambia – Zambia is currently one of the most important producers of emeralds.

Zimbabwe – The Sandawana Valley in Zimbaber produces small but intensely color saturated emeralds.

Madagascar
India – The city of Jaipur in India is a leading cutting and trading center for emeralds as well as several other gemstones.

China – China currently produces lower quality emeralds but it has the potential to be the next important supplier of the gemstone.

Pakistan
Afghanistan – Despite years of conflict, the Panjshir Valley in northern Afghanistan still produces some of the finest quality emeralds ever seen.

Russia – The Ural Mountains of Russia have produced good quality emeralds for years.

If you are lucky enough to hold the legendary emerald as your birthstone, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase this beautiful vibrant green gemstone. Emerald green is the standard which all other green gemstones are compared to. Any custom piece of jewelry could be tailored to incorporate this remarkable birthstone. The possibility are endless with such a versatile mineral. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful emerald is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We have a selection of emeralds available just waiting to be transformed!

Emerald has captivated countless generations and deeply ingratiated itself in popular culture as well as within the jewelry industry. It is the quintessential birthstone for those lucky individuals who happen to have a May birthday, and its enduring beauty has remained a focal point of the jewelry market for hundreds of years. At Knox Jewelers, we’ve designed many hand-crafted works of art that incorporated an emerald center stone, and we think you’ll agree with us when we say that it’s a great choice for those individuals who are considering using it in a ring or pendant. Let’s take a closer look now at the history and background of this magnificent gemstone, and how we can help you to design a unique engagement ring that truly embodies your loved one’s May birthday.

The Illustrious History of Emerald

Emerald’s name comes to us from antiquity – specifically, classical Greek. Its original name was “smaragdos,” but it traveled through numerous cultures, including the Roman Empire, before being translated into modern English from the Middle English word “Emeraude.” The ancients knew just as well as we do today the cathartic healing effect that gazing at a beautiful emerald can achieve, and its popularity has endured through millenniums. Today, as it always has, emerald symbolizes the beauty and power of nature in the form of lush green landscapes and growth, thus making it an ideal gemstone to symbolize the month of May.

What You Need to Know about Emerald

Emerald is a form of beryl with a trademark green color that ranges from pure green to a blue-green mix. Although expert opinions differ as to what differentiates an emerald from a standard green beryl stone, professionals tend to identify an emerald by its rich color which is not too light as to be considered a mere green beryl. Generally, the darker the stone and the more saturated it is, the more likely it is to be considered a true emerald.

The Earth has been brewing emeralds for billions of years – 2.97 billion, to be precise. Today, it is often mined in the countries of Brazil, Colombia, Zambia, and Madagascar, among many others. Extracting this precious gemstone from the ground and preparing it for use in jewelry is an expensive and time-consuming process that involves the labor of many skilled artisans.

Selecting the best emerald stone possible involves taking into account four important criteria: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Each of these factors plays a vital role in determining whether or not a given emerald stone is up to par. Here’s what you should look for when choosing an emerald stone:

Color: Pure green stones tend to command the highest prices, and saturation is very important as well.

Clarity: Valuable emeralds typically have inclusions known as “jardins,” which are essentially “gardens” of visual inclusions.

Cut: The most common cut is a rectangular step cut, also known as an emerald cut.

Carat weight: Emeralds have lower densities than diamonds, so a one carat emerald will on average appear larger in size than a comparable diamond sample.

Your Very Own Emerald Ring

Designing a unique engagement ring for your loved one has never been more enjoyable or simple than at Knox Jewelers. From the very beginning of this special journey, we will work together with you to craft a ring that will stand the test of time while embodying your love. Our expert artisans have worked with numerous types of metals, stones, and techniques, and we know you will be eternally impressed with the emerald engagement ring that we design together with you. We’re truly looking forward to getting started on this journey with you, so be sure to get in contact with us soon.

Let’s Get Started Today!

At Knox Jewelers, we can’t wait to get started on helping you to design a stunning, unique engagement ring that is bound to stand the test of time for countless generations. Our jewelry design process is holistic and unique, and it is entirely centered around your desires and input. If you wish to create an heirloom that will last years, then get in touch with us today to get started on the journey of a lifetime. We look forward to meeting with you soon!

Tag: May

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