Stone of May: the Emerald

Origins and varieties of Emeralds:

With its luxuriant green colour May's birthstone, the Emerald symbolises Spring and renewal. Rare and precious, Emeralds have fascinated civilisations throughout the world over the ages. Emeralds were favoured in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome but also by the Incas in South Amercia and by the Muhgal Emperors in India. Its name derives from ancient Greek 'smaragdos' meaning 'Precious green gemstone'.
Like the Aquamarine, it is part of the Beryl family and has a hardness rated 7.5 on the Mohs scale.
An Emerald's value will vary depending on 4 criteria: colour, clarity, cut and carats (=measuring the weight of the stone - not to be confused with gold carats which define the pureness of the metal).
It is a gemstone of the IIIrd category meaning that certain cracks and inclusions are tolerated. It is almost impossible to find an Emerald without surface cracks or inclusions (known as the Emerald's garden). In order to improve their appearance and stabilise the gem, they are treated by immersion in oil.

What gives the Emerald its characterstic green colour? Traces of chrome and in certain cases vanadium give the Emerald its distinctive green colouring. Depending on the concentration of the elements, colours may vary from a pale pastel green to a vibrant, deep green with undertones of blue, yellow or grey. Deep green Emeralds are the most sought after whereas lighter coloured stones can often offer more sparkle and brilliance.

Information, virtues and legends surrounding the Emerald:

• In Ancient times, the most famous and prolific mines could be found in the Egyptian desert. Today, the vast majority of Emeralds are to be found in Colombia with other sources in Brasil and in Zambia.
• Emeralds are regularly associated with fertility, rebirth, love and wisdom.
• A traditional gift for the 40th wedding anniversary, Emeralds can easily be offered for engagements and any declaration of love.
• Stone cutters have created a specific cut for Emeralds allowing the stone to reveal its beauty and protect its crystalline structure. The Emerald cut is a rectangular or sometimes square cut with facetted edges. Emeralds are also traditionally cut in popular cabochon, oval or cushion forms.

• According to some traditional beliefs, the Emerald is said to help cure eye diseases, flu, throat and nose infections. It is also said to ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and epilesy as well as helping reinforce the immune system.
• In her hay-day, Elisabeth Taylor often wore her favourite Emerald jewellery with its beautiful rich green colour. Since the 1960sn they had all but disappeared from the spotlights until Angelina Jolie wore a stunning pair of Emerald earrings and ring in 2009. Since then Emeralds have made their come back and are once again worn by the Stars – Beyoncé, Julia Roberts or Julianne Moore for example.

Which metal to use to set Emeralds:

As a precious stone, Emeralds are normally set on 18ct yellow gold. However, thanks to its intense colour it can also be very attractive on a white metal such as platinum or 18ct white gold.

Related products available on our website:

Collection of finished jewellery – Gold and Emerald

In our collection of 9ct gold jewellery, LAVAL brings you a classic yellow gold ring set with an Emerald and diamonds.And order our 'must-haves' for your store: earrings with emerald green stones.

(the round stud earrings are set with synthetic stones)

For a more modern look, discover our collection set with emerald green and sapphire blue coloured glass. Available in rhodium plated sterling silver or gold plated.

And for your jewellery creations:

SWAROVSKI® Zirconia:
Available in the patented 'Green' colour, Swarovski Zirconia will allow you to create beautiful items copying Angelina Jolie's favourite stone at very affordable prices.  We sell these exceptional, high quality stones in small quantities, purchase aas few as 5 of the 'Green' Zirconia.
SWAROVSKI® Topaz: with a more natural sparkle, topaz with its patented colour treatment* 'Rainforest' will reveal its beauty on either a gold or silver mounting. As an authorised distributor for SWAROVSKI GEMSTONES, we distribute topazes that satisfy the highest quality standards on the market. Unlike the Zirconia, the Topaz is a genuine gemstone and LAVAL allows you to buy them individually. Available in round, pear, oval, marquise or emerald but at very affordable rates.

   
*Patented colour treatment TCF (Thermo Colour Fusion) – Non toxic, unirradiated colours.

Not forgetting the Laval mounts, fittings and findings

• Discover our range of 18ct white and yellow gold mounts and fittings: ring mounts, pendants fittings, earring fittings.
• Some of our ring mounts are semi-set with diamonds.

Care products for Emeralds:

• JOLIBIJOUX create biodegradable care products with no ammoniac, free of enzymes and preservatives. Perfect for cleaning your Emerald jewellery: choose either the lotion or the polishing cloth

• HAGERTY® is a jewellery care brand. Discover the Fine stones clean formula available as a lotion or in impregnated polishing cloths, perfect for cleaning precious jewels, emeralds and other precious stones, gold and platinum.

Ear piercing: a great way of strengthening your customer relations and creating additional sales opportunities - post piercing.

• Caflon® ear piercing: several pairs of classic emerald green ear piercing studs are available: bezel set, claw set, sold in packs of  12 (one for each of the birthstones) or individually. Take you pick!