How to Choose an Emerald Pendant

Have a birthday coming up soon? May’s birthstone is the elegant green emerald, an excellent option for a May birthday present or anniversary gift. Renowned for its vivid green colour, the emerald gemstone instantly adds a touch of luxury to any outfit or can be a statement piece on special occasions. Shining Diamonds explores what to look for when choosing the perfect emerald pendant.

Consider an Emerald with a Vivid Green Hue

When searching for an emerald pendant, you will find various shapes and designs to choose from which showcase the beautiful gemstone, and some emerald pendant settings are stunning with surrounding diamonds which compliment its bright green colour. The colour and hue of an emerald is the next decision to make after you have picked the emerald's initial shape. This refers to the consistency of the emerald's green colour, ranging from yellowish-green and bluish-green to a pure vivid green (many people call it a forest green). The popular option on the market is bluish-green for a good price point, when it has a vivid colour saturation throughout the stone you will see that stunning green emerald colour from every angle, knowing that you have chosen an emerald gemstone that you will treasure forever. However, everyone is different in what they prefer when it comes to jewellery and Emeralds are a natural element making each pendant unique and beautiful.

Ensure There Are Fewer Inclusions in the Emerald

Most emeralds have inclusions within the stone. Therefore, it’s rare to find emeralds without visible inclusions, the fewer inclusions the greater the price and value due to their extreme rarity. This means Inclusions are widely accepted in the emerald gemstone on the market and each inclusion gives you the confidence that it is a natural gemstone. Inclusions occur when the gemstone first forms in the earth and are almost like a birthmark or fingerprint of that stone. This gives you the confidence that your emerald is natural, unique and beautiful. The different types of inclusions can be quite fascinating to view inside the stone as many will tell a story about that emerald and which country it comes from. Many emeralds have clarity enhancement which is something to look for on the certificate to see which enhancement it has as some are more concerning than others and all of them are to improve the stone’s appearance to the viewer.

Finding an emerald with fewer inclusions near the stone’s surface is essential for maintaining its beauty and strength. Always check the emerald’s certification and look with a jeweller's loupe to inspect the surface of your emerald for any chips along the facet edges or inclusions close to the surface, which can weaken the stone’s structure. This can affect your choice of which stone to choose or which pendant setting to set the stone in such as a prong pendant setting or a rubover setting to protect the vulnerable edges. 

Think About the Emerald’s Cut

When selecting your emerald gemstone, the cut plays an important role in its appearance. A higher grade of emerald displays more light and sparkle in the right proportions. This can reduce the risk of fracture or chipping on the edges of the facets than a poor-cut emerald. Naturally, most emerald gemstones you see are in the emerald cut shape as these hold great beauty alongside better durability as the vulnerable corners of the shape are protected by the prongs of the setting. With your pendant, you have several options that you can select from, such as a stunning oval and diamond pendant or a diamond double halo pear cut for instance. Before choosing your final emerald shape, take your time to look at various shapes to find one that will complement your pendant.

Check the Origin of the Emerald

While most of the world’s best emeralds are known to come from Colombia, you can find emeralds in Zambia and Brazil. Shining Diamonds ensures that all our emeralds come from conflict-free areas as part of the Kimberley Process. We're also a proud member of the National Association of Jewellers, where we follow the Code of Ethics to ensure each emerald for our pendants is conflict-free and has certification referencing the grades of your emerald. We also offer GIA-certified emeralds where you will have more information on the characteristics, inclusions and placements within your emerald. The GIA also lists the country of origin on your certification, ensuring you know you’ve made a great choice.

Treat yourself or your loved one to a diamond and emerald pendant from Shining Diamonds this May. Book an appointment at our London or Brighton showroom today. Our friendly, helpful diamond experts will be there throughout the process to ensure you get the perfect pendant.