May Birthstone Spotlight: Emerald

As sad as we are to see our Forevermark Diamond Week come to an end, we’re always glad to showcase other gemstones as well. And how can anyone be sad about emeralds? They have such a bright, vibrant color that is perfect for this time of year. Emeralds are prized for these vivid shades of green and are one of the hardest gemstones to find in flawless condition due to their soft nature, susceptibility to fracturing, and high number of inclusions. Along with an extensive history of being associated with good health, wealth, luck, and emotional well-being, emeralds have have been a popular gemstone from the time they were sold in Babylonian markets in 4000 B.C. and beyond.

With this gemstone’s fragile nature, it’s extraordinary to find any large gem-quality emerald. The world’s largest cut emerald is known as the Teodora, or Gift of God, a 57,500 carat opaque emerald roughly the size of a watermelon. One of the other largest emeralds is the Moghul Emerald, which is 217.18 carats carved on the front and the back with a Shi’a Muslim prayer invocation. The largest emerald in North America came out from a little farm in North Carolina, and is dubbed the Carolina Emperor at 65 carats.

Naturally the heavy-hitters of the jewelry world have also left their mark with emerald masterpieces. Harry Winston is responsible for cutting and setting the famous Colombian Chalk Emerald. The Chalk Emerald is a 37.82 carat square gemstone set as a ring and framed by fifteen carats of pear-cut diamonds. The Chalk Emerald was originally set into a necklace that belonged to a maharani in India.

Cartier created a beautiful Art Deco emerald and platinum necklace in 1931 that features a 167.97 carat oval-cut Colombian emerald named the Mackay Emerald. This necklace also incorporated 35 smaller emeralds and as many as 2191 diamonds. This emerald was named after the owner, Anna Case Mackay.

Because emeralds were so popular in the early 1920’s and 1930’s, one of our favorite Art Deco pieces is this Columbian emerald ring from our estate collection. The oval-cut emerald cabochon is framed by a swirling border of baguette and marquise cut diamonds. So no matter what your taste, an emerald is a way to tap into the elegant, the regal, and the timeless.

Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs. For more information, visit www.kings1912.com.