Emeralds Reign Over the Month of May

The emerald is not only an exquisite gem, it’s also the official birthstone for May. Why not celebrate the month when flowers start to bloom again with this season’s most beautiful emerald jewels in the freshest cuts and styles?

Emeralds, known for their lush green color, are thought to symbolize fortune and youth. To the Greeks, emeralds were referred to as “smaragdos,” which translates as “green gem.”

Interestingly, the first documented emerald mines date to at least 330 B.C. In fact, emeralds were highly valued in Egyptian culture, notably by Cleopatra herself, who sought the precious gem during her reign. According to legend, emeralds were believed to have mystical powers, from fortune-telling abilities to curing diseases such as cholera and malaria.

Today, emerald jewelry is considered a timeless and classic choice, consistently spotted on the red carpet by celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde, Miranda Kerr, and Victoria Beckham, to name a few.

Click ahead to see and shop 21 of the most exquisite emerald jewels on the market, from haute couture jeweler Dior to ethical jewelry brand Bario Neal.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

?Here’s How 9 Fashion Insiders Will Celebrate Mother’s Day
?Shop the $135 Sunglasses Rihanna Swears By
?The Best Indie Jewelry Brands You Need on Your Radar

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.