All About the Emerald - Go Green and Shine

This time of year it's all about green.

Color is emerging after the darkness of winter and Saint Patrick's Day will see a sea of green appearing in Ireland and around the world.

The beautiful green emerald which is timeless and a year-round treasure, is a stunning way to showcase Irish heritage and good taste and just like the 40 shades of green, there are many ways to wear a beautiful showstopper of an emerald, one of the most stand-out of all the gemstones.

Emeralds are prized for their vivid green color, otherworldly beauty and it's even said that jewellers who were used to spending long hours working on their benches would have a large emerald nearby to give their eyes a place to rest, relax and reset. Its color ties it to spring, renewal and birth and it has always been a favorite of royalty including Cleopatra.

Thought to amplify self-love and wisdom, the emerald is aligned with the heart chakra and symbolizes health and fertility and there are many price ranges to suit all.

This beautiful Celtic Pendant Set with Green Center Stone combines Ireland's famous Celtic knot in silver with precious stones circling the main green stone and really celebrates the best of Ireland. This is a really striking necklace that looks just as stunning worn with light or dark colors and is lovely for evening wear as a nice sparkly piece.

The emerald is also the May birthstone and traditionally given on a 55th wedding anniversary. An interesting way to wear it is to combine it with a Claddagh as seen here in this May birthstone Claddagh ring With the message of love, loyalty and friendship inscribed on the inside of the ring, the timeless Claddagh with its heart, hands and crown has a message that never fades.

Ireland's Celtic Crosses are one of the most evocative visual symbols of the island. This Emerald Set Celtic Cross necklace of solid gold incorporates an emerald into the centre of the design. One of the core staples of insular art, the Celtic cross is a form of Christian cross that emerged in Ireland during the early Middle Ages and has a circular shape surounding the intersection of the arms and stem which  makes it really distinctive.

Emeralds and diamonds go beautifully together. One of the most stunning pieces in the entire Rings from Ireland collection has got to be this diamond and emerald trinity knot engagement ring. It combines the very best of Ireland and of Irish craft and the deep green of the emeralds complements the bright diamond at the center to perfection. Set high in a yellow gold band, the ring also includes the famous Trinity knot with its three interconnected leaves, meaning a form that can't be untied.

While emeralds aren't found naturally in Ireland they've become an important part of Irish culture and 'the emerald isle' for centuries. Celtic legends speak of magical green stones bringing good luck and prosperity. Emeralds were worn by nobles and clergy during the Middle Ages to symbolise spirituality and power. The first recorded use of emeralds in Irish jewelry can actually be traced as far back as the Bronze Age when the ancient Irish celts used the gemstones to adorn themselves.

The Irish poet William Drennan is credited with first coining the term 'Emerald isle' in his poem 'When Erin first rose' and ever since then the beautiful green emerald has been associated with Ireland. Wear it with pride!