May's Birthstone: Emerald

May's birthstone is the mesmerizing emerald. Emeralds are beautiful, vibrant green gems that can be quite stunning and eye-catching. I love them most when paired with yellow gold, as shown in the hexagon signet ring. But they look gorgeous in white gold, platinum, and rose gold.

I personally prefer to use lab-created emeralds, like the one shown, since they are not as fragile as often included mined emeralds. They will hold up better to the daily wear and tear in rings. Mined emeralds, with their often beautiful natural inclusions, are better set in necklaces or earrings where they get far less abuse and can be enjoyed and admired for many years. A synthetic or lab-created emerald will have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a natural emerald and are far more affordable.