Necklace Details
Emerald – Emerald is one of four stones considered precious gems and so scarce it is thought to be 20 times rarer than diamonds. A member of the Beryl family, Emerald’s significant inclusions and brittle nature, spawned the Emerald Cut which features beveled corners that protect the stone. The earliest known use of Emeralds comes from Ancient Egypt, approximately 6,000 years ago. The discovery, in 1538, and subsequent looting of the Muzo emerald mines in Colombia by the Spanish, created new worldwide demand as supply of this precious stone increased; Colombia remains the world’s largest supplier of Emeralds. Rome’s Pliny the Elder described emerald as: “…nothing greens greener” – likely the reason it is associated with the lushest landscapes and richest greens including the Emerald Isle (Ireland), Emerald City (Seattle, WA and the Wizard of Oz’s magical home), and Emerald Buddha (Thailand’s most sacred religious icon which is actually carved from green jadeite). Green is considered by many cultures to be the color of life, and Emerald has long been associated with renewal, vitality, life, and spirit, and its soothing color is believed to relieve eye strain. The world’s largest gem quality emerald, the Chipembele, from Zambia, is 7,525 carats! For context, in 2011, Elizabeth Taylor’s famed 23.5 carat Emerald pendant sold for $6,578,500 ($280,000 per carat). Today, Emerald is May’s birthstone, the stone of spring, and given as 20th and 35th anniversary gifts.
Sapphire – Sapphire is one of only four stones considered precious gems and comes in all colors except red and black. Its name, which comes from Ancient Greek and means ‘dark blue stone’, infers that blue sapphire was the first color discovered. Sapphire is the birthstone for September and considered a stone of wisdom, wealth, and protection around the world.
Jade (China) – Jade has been prized for more than 7,000 years around the world. Known as the ‘royal gem’ in China, the philosopher Confucius wrote that Jade is like virtue and its brightness represents heaven. The stone comes in a variety of colors and its unique structure scatters light, feels cool to the touch, and, when tapped, chimes. Around the world, Jade symbolizes the good, the beautiful and the precious, is considered lucky, and believed to promote health and emotional balance. Jade is given as a 12th anniversary gift.
Swarovski Crystal (Austria) – Swarovski was founded in 1895 following Daniel Swarovski’s invention of the world’s first electric-powered crystal cutting machine and lexicon of crystal cuts that produced a new level of crystal clarity. After viewing the Northern Lights, he partnered with Dior to create his famous Aurora Borealis, or AB, coating, a very thin layer of gold applied to half of a crystal’s facets to create an iridescent, shimmering effect. Today, Swarovski Crystals provide the sparkle for Beyonce and Taylor Swift’s concerts, most notably with 250,000 crystals on Beyonce’s red catsuit (Cowboy Carter Tour) and more than 5,000 on Taylor Swift’s guitar (Eras Tour), now housed at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.
22K Gold Vermeil (India) – 22K gold has a bright yellow hue and balances beauty with strength and resilience. Gold has been revered and coveted since ancient times, worn by royalty, and associated with the divine and sacred. This fine metal has long been connected with alchemy and reminds us of our innate potential for transformation and enlightenment. Gold is given as a 50th anniversary gift.