May birthdays are certainly something to celebrate. With the chill of winter finally giving way to the lushness of spring, verdant emerald birthstone jewels are the perfect way to commemorate a birthday this month. One of the world’s most valuable precious gemstones, the jewel has been prized for over 5,000 years, its mesmerising leafy hue regarded as a symbol of renewal, fertility, hope and eternal life. For this reason, they were the gemstones chosen by Pharaohs, Maharajas and royalty to adorn themselves and their tombs, as well as modern-day Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor.

Emeralds derive their name from the Greek word smáragados, which means ‘green gem’, though the stones hail from all over the world including Brazil, Colombia, Afghanistan and Zambia. In ancient times, they were believed to have protective powers against poison, fever and even dysentery. The oldest Indian scriptures, the Vedas, even list emeralds as an offering to the gods that will produce ‘knowledge of the soul and of the eternal’, whilst Mughal emperors carved their emeralds with their names or sacred texts and wore them close to absorb their powers.

Today, the beauty, hue and scarcity of emeralds means they are still amongst the most treasured of all precious gems. Here we round up the prettiest pieces to give a loved one (or yourself) this May.

Like this? Discover sparkling diamond birthstone jewels for April.