All About Emerald Gemstones: Stunning Jewelry for May Birthstones, Nature Lovers, And Anyone Looking for Beautiful Color

There is nothing quite like the stunning beauty of an emerald. The vibrant green is eye-catching yet calming, evoking lush forests, rolling hills, and spring gardens. As one of the big four gemstones alongside diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, the emerald has captivated jewelry lovers for centuries.

Emerald is also the May birthstone, symbolizing renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Whether you are shopping for a May birthday, a nature lover, or simply someone who adores rich color, our emerald jewelry brings that green into every look.

Bold Statement Pieces or Hints of Color

Emeralds are wonderfully versatile. A vivid green stone can anchor a bold statement piece, or a delicate accent can add just a hint of color to an everyday wardrobe. The pieces here run from a band you notice across a room to a pair of earrings that only reveal their color close up. Explore our full range of emerald jewelry to find the ones that speak to you.

14k Yellow Gold Genuine Emerald and Natural Diamond Fashion Ring .08 ct. tw.

• Emeralds and natural diamonds alternating in marquise-shaped settings
• A milgrain edge and a vintage design style, per the catalog
• A slim 1.9 mm shank in 14k yellow gold, made for everyday wear

14k White Gold Lab Created Emerald and Natural Diamond Necklace .05 ct. tw.

• A round lab-created emerald ringed by natural diamonds
• Rhodium-plated 14k white gold, which keeps the green cool rather than warm
• A 16 inch rollo chain with a 2 inch extender

14k White Gold Genuine Emerald and Natural Diamond Earrings 1/8 ct. tw.

• Four genuine emeralds and four natural diamonds set as a flower
• 1/8 ct. tw. of diamonds in 14k white gold
• A cluster rather than a solitaire, so the color spreads across the ear

Notice what the metal is doing across those three. Yellow gold sits next to green on the color wheel and warms it, which is why the ring reads vintage even before you register the milgrain. Rhodium-plated white gold does the opposite: it cools the stone and lets the diamonds around it carry the brightness, so the green reads deeper by contrast. Neither is more correct, and it is worth seeing both before you decide, because the difference is larger in person than it is in a photograph.

If green is not the only color you are drawn to, our colored gemstone range covers the rest of the calendar.

May Birthstone Celebration

If someone you love has a May birthday, emerald is the obvious way to celebrate, and it is a gift that says you knew the month rather than guessed the taste. What follows is the everyday end of the range: pieces that go on without thought and carry the color quietly.

14k Yellow Gold Genuine Emerald Hoop Earrings

• Genuine emeralds set the whole way around each small hoop
• Warm 14k yellow gold with a high-polish finish
• Hinged snap backs, so they stay put through a full day

14k White Gold Lab Created Emerald and Natural Diamond Earrings .07 ct. tw.

• Round lab-created emeralds, each inside a halo of natural diamonds
• .07 ct. tw. of diamonds in rhodium-plated 14k white gold
• The smallest stones on this page, and the quietest way to wear the color

14k White Gold Emerald and Natural Diamond Pendant 1/10 ct. tw.

• A round emerald framed by natural diamonds, 1/10 ct. tw.
• Rhodium-plated white gold on an 18 inch cable chain
• The longest chain here, so it sits below a collar rather than at it

The two necklaces here are worth comparing on length rather than on design. Sixteen inches sits at the base of the neck and puts the stone where a collar would frame it, which suits a higher neckline and layers well underneath something longer. Eighteen inches falls just below, sits on its own without competing, and is the safer choice as a gift when you do not know how someone wears their necklaces. An extender covers the difference on the shorter one, which is why we would point most first-time buyers toward whichever stone they preferred and let the chain follow.

The Robbins Brothers Difference

We have been helping people choose fine jewelry since 1921, and colored stones ask a different question of a jeweler than diamonds do. With a diamond the grading language does much of the work. With an emerald there is no equivalent shorthand for whether a green is the green you want, which is why we would always rather put two side by side in front of you than describe them.

Our master jeweler works in house, which matters more with emerald than with most stones: it is softer than a diamond and it does not take an ultrasonic cleaner, so resetting, retipping and cleaning are jobs for someone who knows that. Every piece carries our best-in-class lifetime warranty with complimentary cleaning and inspection at any of our showrooms across California, Arizona, Texas and Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the May birthstone?

Emerald is the birthstone for May, and it is one of the few birthstones whose meaning matches its color so directly. Its lush green makes it a gift that reads as spring even to someone who has never thought about birthstones. Our experts can help you find the right May birthday piece at any of our showrooms.

What is the difference between lab-created and genuine emerald?

Genuine emeralds are mined from the earth, while lab-created emeralds are grown in controlled conditions and share the same chemical and optical properties. Lab-created stones often offer a more budget-friendly and more consistently vivid color. We carry both, and this page has both on it, so you can compare how they read side by side.

Why do emeralds have visible inclusions when diamonds do not?

Because of how they form. Almost every natural emerald carries internal features, and in the trade they are described with a French word meaning garden rather than treated as damage. A completely clean, glassy green stone is more likely to be lab-created or an imitation than an exceptional natural emerald. Knowing that changes what you are looking for when you compare two of them.

How do I care for emerald jewelry?

Gently. Emeralds are softer than diamonds and are frequently treated with oils or resins that harsh cleaning can strip, so use warm water and a soft cloth, and keep them away from household chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Bring your pieces to any of our showrooms for complimentary professional cleaning and inspection.

What metals pair best with emeralds?

Yellow gold warms an emerald’s green and gives it a classic, vintage feel, while white gold offers a cool, modern contrast that makes the color pop. Both are on this page for exactly that reason. The right choice comes down to personal style, and our experts are happy to help you compare them side by side.

Are the diamond accents natural or lab-grown?

The accents on the pieces here are natural diamonds, and we offer lab-grown options across our collections too. Only about 1 in 10 diamonds meets our standards, so every stone is hand-selected. Visit us to see the sparkle in person and choose what fits your values and your budget.

Can I design a custom emerald piece?

Absolutely. Our in-house design studio works closely with you to create something uniquely yours, whether you are starting from scratch or reimagining an heirloom. Our master jeweler can build it with you from first sketch to finished piece, and with a softer stone that in-house expertise is worth having.

Do I need an appointment to shop for emerald jewelry?

Walk-ins are always welcome, but we recommend booking a consultation so you have dedicated time with one of our experts. It is also the best way to compare greens under the same light, which is genuinely difficult to do any other way.

Or find a Robbins Brothers near you to explore our emerald collection in person.