The month of May is represented by Emerald, a gemstone known for its rich green colour and long history in jewellery. It’s one of those stones that feels instantly recognisable, even if you’re not particularly “into” gemstones.
Emerald is traditionally associated with rebirth, wisdom, love and loyalty, which is why it often shows up in meaningful pieces, especially for May birthdays. It’s the kind of stone people tend to choose when they want something with a bit more thought behind it.
It’s also had its fair share of royal attention over the years. From emerald drop earrings worn by Kate Middleton to historic pieces linked to Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mary, it’s long been a favourite in jewellery collections that feel a little more iconic.
Colour-wise, it sits somewhere between soft and striking. Some are lighter and more subtle, others are deep and bold, but they all have that unmistakable green that makes them so easy to spot.
In permanent jewellery, it works especially well as a subtle accent that adds character to any welded piece while still keeping that effortless, everyday feel.
The Story Behind Emerald
May's birthstone isn’t just known for its colour, but for how distinct it is as a gemstone. It forms under specific natural conditions that give it that rich green tone, which is why no two stones ever look exactly the same. Because of its structure, it is usually cut in a way that prioritises colour and clarity of tone rather than heavy sparkle. That’s also why it has such a recognisable, almost soft glow compared to other stones.
- Emerald is often seen as a symbol of love, loyalty, wisdom and renewal, which is why it’s commonly chosen for meaningful or personal pieces.
- The green isn’t one flat shade — it can lean soft and muted or deep and rich, depending on how the stone forms naturally.
- That colour comes from tiny traces of elements like chromium working their way into the stone as it develops.
- Some of the earliest known emeralds were mined in Egypt, where they were already being used in jewellery thousands of years ago.
- The Greeks and Romans connected emerald with Venus, the goddess of love, which helped shape its romantic symbolism.
- It has also long been associated with ideas of protection, good fortune and wellbeing, often worn as a stone believed to bring balance and positive energy.
Emerald in Permanent Jewellery
Chains
Emerald tones work really well across enamel chain styles when you want a touch of colour that still feels wearable. A great example is the Clear Green Enamel Sunburst & Paperclip Chain, which adds a sheer green enamel over a classic paperclip link, giving a subtle pop of colour that stays balanced with both gold filled and sterling silver metals.
Another one is our 1.5mm Fern Enamel Flat Cable Chain which takes a softer approach, with earthy green enamel accents along a fine flat cable chain for a more natural, understated look.
Both styles show how Emerald-inspired tones can be added into chains in a simple way, keeping the overall piece balanced with the metals while still adding interest. This works well for customers who want a minimal look but still want to include their birthstone, especially as it can be quite hard to find chain styles that include colour without it feeling too bold or taking over the design.
Charms & Connectors
In permanent jewellery, these are the pieces that make any piece feel more personal. Charms and connectors are often added as details, giving customers an easy way to make their jewellery feel more like their own.
Customers often love it when they find pieces that feel personal to them, and birthstone charms and connectors are a popular choice in permanent jewellery.
May's birthstone brings a natural depth of colour that works so well in permanent jewellery, especially when kept simple and well balanced. Its green tone pairs easily with both gold and silver, which makes it a strong choice for everyday pieces that still feel elevated.
The chain on its own works beautifully, keeping the look simple and minimal. While adding charms to any chain lifts the piece, with the colour adding a more luxurious feel without needing much else.
