May's Birthstone – Emerald

Emerald, the vibrant green gem that is a member of the beryl family of minerals, has a long history when Egyptians began mining it as early as 3500 BC. Ancient romans coveted emeralds as an amuletic gem that could cure eye diseases and guard against the evil eye. Cellini, the master goldsmith of the Duke of Tuscany in Italy, likened the gem to the element of earth and by association the virtue of abundance. The Moghul Emperors of the Indian Subcontinent praised emeralds’ color as the embodiment of a lush paradise, which was vividly written in the Quran. Today, emerald still maintains its pride of place and remains the birthstone for all of those May babies out there. 

Vintage Engagement Ring - Vintage Platinum Gem Quality Emerald and Diamond Ring - Emerald Ring

Antique Earrings - Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Seed Pearl & Emerald Bell Shape Dangle Earrings

Egypt remained a source for Emeralds until the sixteenth century when Spanish explorers learned of abundant emeralds in Colombia. The Incas of South America had long treasured emeralds as offering to their gods. But it was ultimately the Spanish conquistadors who introduced Colombian emeralds to Europe and to Eastern trade routes. Many of the antique pieces in the Copper Canary collection that contain emeralds are very likely to have come from Colombia. Antique navette rings were often accented with a single emerald and Victorian goldsmiths loved how the green gem glowed when set in gold. 

Antique Ring - Antique Art Deco 18k White Gold Emerald & Diamond Ring

Fine emeralds still come from Columbia and Brazil, fetching high auction prices that challenge even diamond. Emeralds also come from Africa, with the discovery of sources in Zambia the 1920s. Jewelers of the Art Deco period found inventive ways to incorporate emeralds amongst sparkling diamonds and geometric metalwork. For goldsmiths of the 1920s, the vibrant green gem provided the perfect pop of color in an otherwise predominantly colorless palette. Check out the Art Deco pieces from the Copper Canary collection above!