May's birthstone, emerald, holds a timeless allure with its lush green hue and rich history. Revered since ancient times, emeralds were prized by Egyptian and Inca civilisations, denoting fertility and rebirth. Symbolically, emeralds represent love, prosperity, and renewal, embodying the vitality of spring. In this latest journal article, we explore the beauty of emerald gemstones to uncover what makes them so sought-after, before exploring our very own curated collection of emerald jewellery pieces.

Emeralds are a part of the Beryl gemstone family, and are therefore a softer stone with a standard hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. The quality of an emerald is graded according to colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. The most desirable emeralds have a bluish-green to pure green hue with an even, vivid saturation across the stone, are highly transparent, and eye-clean. Occasionally, the visual characteristics of emeralds can be linked to their geographic origin. Colombian emeralds are reputed to exhibit a warmer and more intensely pure green colour, while Zambian emeralds are believed to possess a cooler, more bluish-green hue. Despite these assertions, the reality is that the appearance of emeralds often transcends specific sources, with frequent overlap in these visual traits.

With their natural inclusions and brittleness, emerald gemstones can be difficult to cut, typically fashioned into an emerald-cut stone. Characterised by rectangular facets and a stepped silhouette, the emerald cut showcases a stone's magnificent hue, tone and saturation. Despite this, you will see other popular cuts on the market that have usually been selected to maximise the stone's features.

Due to their relatively softer nature, emeralds are more prone to damage from impact and pressure. When wearing emerald jewellery, extra care should be taken to avoid knocking or bumping against hard surfaces, and pieces should be removed before engaging in activities that may pose a risk of impact, such as sports or manual labour.

To maintain their beauty, emeralds require gentle care, avoiding harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes. In essence, the emerald's enduring beauty, coupled with its historical significance and symbolic meaning, solidifies its place as a cherished gemstone. At Hogans, our ready-to-wear collection boasts a number of meticulously crafted emerald gemstone pieces, from dress rings to petite pendants.

Yellow Gold Round Brilliant Cut Emerald & Diamond Tennis Bracelets
A refined take on a classic style, these tennis bracelets harmoniously balance the vivid green hues of emerald with the brilliance of diamonds. Fashioned as a delicate wrist adornment, this piece will sit effortlessly alongside diamond set or gilded bracelets and bangles.

Emerald & Diamond Toi et Moi Dress Ring
Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this dress ring features an emerald cut emerald gemstone, accompanied by a pear cut white diamond. Designed with a dress ring in mind, this style adds contemporary flair and a simple elegance. 

Emerald Cut Zambian Emerald Solitaire Necklaces
Crafted in 18k yellow gold, each of these necklaces feature an emerald cut vivid green emerald gemstone, set in a claw and bezel setting. Suspended by a fine trace chain, carefully considered to complement your existing stack, or to be worn as a solo piece.

Emerald Cut Emerald Halo Pendant
Crafted in the Hogans workshop, this piece is the culmination of craftsmanship, fine materials, and passion. This statement piece showcases an illustrious emerald cut emerald gemstone, framed by round brilliant cut white diamonds. With an opulent presence, this pendant will undoubtedly impress.

We invite you to explore the timeless allure of the May birthstone and our collection of meticulously crafted emerald pieces in store at 241 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, or via our online showroom.