Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl, and perhaps the most recognizable green gemstone. It is also the birthstone for the month of May, making emerald items of jewelry of particular significance for those born during this month. In this article we look at the classic emerald ring.

Throughout the years the emerald has never gone out of style, and on occasion comes to the forefront of latest fashion trends. Much of this can be attributed to the intense green hue of the stone, which has something of a mesmerizing effect about it and works extremely well when worn alongside all types of green clothing or by those with green eyes.

Emerald rings can be found in many different styles, but a classic, single, prong-set emerald remains the most popular variant. Though simple in design, rings of this type have a timeless and elegant appearance that has kept them popular for many years.

In terms of the stones themselves, although the primary hue of the emerald is always green, a number of different secondary hues can be found. Some of the most common are yellow and blue - the hues found next to green on the spectral color wheel. Generally speaking, the more vivid the shade of green, the more desirable the stone - with a bright, ‘grass green’ one of the most valuable shades available.

As with most forms of fine jewelry, emerald rings are popular in both 14k and 18k gold. Yellow gold commands most interest for emerald rings, with the green and gold tones working extremely well together and producing a radiance which is hard to match. Although white gold has also remained popular for emerald rings over the years, it takes an extremely intense green hue to work well with a white metal.

Prong setting remains the most common method of displaying the stone to its beautiful best. Emeralds can also be claw set, but it is important to bear in mind that emerald is a brittle stone, and requires a method of setting that protects the stone from damage. Emerald is a stone that is well suited to a number of different types of cuts, and with many sizes and styles to choose from, those looking for the perfect emerald ring have plenty of choice.