May Birthstone: Evergreen Emerald

In Scandinavia, May is a time of new life, growth, and lush green beauty. That’s why the emerald — with its deep, vibrant green color — is the perfect match as both the birthstone and lucky stone for May.

But what exactly makes emeralds so special, and why have they fascinated humans for thousands of years? Here’s your complete guide, answering all your questions — and hopefully inspiring you to choose your next piece of emerald jewelry.

What Is an Emerald?

The emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, in the same family as aquamarine and morganite. Its intense green color comes from traces of chromium and vanadium in the crystal. According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), emeralds have set the standard for green among gemstones for thousands of years — no other gemstone matches this deep, lush glow.

Emeralds score 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them durable, though they naturally have inclusions (called “jardin,” French for garden). These internal features are considered part of the stone’s charm and authenticity — giving each gem its own unique fingerprint.

Above: A custom ring featuring a 0,77 carat emerald set in 18K solid rose gold with double claws

Symbolism and Meaning: Birthstone and Lucky Gem

For anyone born in May, the emerald is both their official birthstone and their lucky stone. The emerald symbolizes hope, growth, renewal, and love. Throughout history, it has also been linked to vision and intuition, and legend says it can even give the wearer the ability to “see into the future.

An emerald is not just a beautiful gemstone — it carries layers of history, meaning, and power.

What Is Your Birthstone?

Above: A custom ring featuring a 0,68 carat emerald surrounded by three brilliant lab-grown diamonds

Cleopatra and the Royal History of Emeralds

You can’t talk about emeralds without mentioning the legendary Queen Cleopatra. She was known for her passion for emeralds, using them in her royal jewelry, garments, and adornments. She even owned her own emerald mines in Egypt!

Cleopatra made the emerald a symbol of power, love, and eternal beauty. When you wear an emerald today, you carry a piece of that iconic history — a connection to royal splendor and timeless elegance.

So, we can actually thank Queen Cleo for making this gem so sought-after! That's why we have a Nangi ring named after her. The Drop Dead Gorgeous Cleopatra features a jaw-dropping, drop-shaped.

Learn about gemstones' different cuts and shapes here

Above: Drop Dead Gorgeous Cleopatra

Emeralds on the Red Carpet — Celebrities Love Them

Emeralds have fascinated not only royalty like Cleopatra, but also today’s superstar icons.

Angelina Jolie made history at the 2009 Oscars when she wore enormous emerald drop earrings, creating one of the most iconic red-carpet moments of all time. That single appearance sparked a global surge in emerald jewelry’s popularity, making the green gemstone a must-have for jewelry lovers.

Victoria Beckham is also renowned for her love of emeralds, especially in engagement rings. Her emerald-cut engagement ring is one of many impressive pieces in her famous jewelry collection and has been widely featured in fashion media. Beckham embodies modern luxury and timeless style — just like the emerald itself.

Emeralds have gone from adorning pharaohs’ treasures to starring on today’s red carpets, continuing to inspire designers and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide.

www.vogue.co.uk

How to Choose the Perfect Emerald

According to the GIA, emeralds are primarily evaluated by color: the deeper and more even the green, the more valuable the gemstone. Clarity and cut also matter, but unlike diamonds, inclusions in emeralds are more accepted and can even enhance the stone’s natural origin and character.

Nangi’s Emerald Treasures

At Nangi, we adore emeralds! We offer both custom designs and selected one-of-a-kind emerald pieces (when not sold out!). Some highlights:

Art Deco Cleopatra — our iconic emerald ring inspired by the queen herself. This was a custom piece.

Emerald & Diamonds — a 0,68 carat natural, green emerald set in solid yellow gold surrounded by three round brilliant lab-grown diamonds

Custom Design — design your own Emerald Treasure to match your story and style

​Nangi Emerald Treasures

Emerald: An Investment in Beauty and History

A beautiful emerald is more than jewelry — it’s an investment in timeless beauty and wearable history. With proper care, your emerald will retain its brilliance and value for generations.

Explore Nangi’s Emerald Universe

Ready to find your perfect emerald? Whether you’re looking for a lucky gem, a May birthstone ring, or a unique piece that pays tribute to Cleopatra herself, we have something for you. Explore our collection online, or contact us to create your own custom emerald piece.

Click here to discover our emerald jewelry