5 Sustainable Brands Making Beautiful Emerald Jewelry
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Happy birthday to our May babies! If you’re a Gemini, we’ve found the perfect subtle birthstone pieces to compliment your playful spirit. For our Taurus bbs: Note the statement collections below. Indulgence never hurt anyone, right? We’ve pulled together some of our favorite pieces to complement both playful and indulgent personalities.
A few brief facts about your stunning birthstone to tuck away: It’s said that the emerald is the symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, which feels appropriate as we enter the middle of spring. This birthstone is primarily found in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Apart from diamonds, this is one of the most valued and rarest gemstones, and price tags generally reflect that. Learn more about the cut and color as you shop for your piece.
Whether you’re a May baby, love someone who has a birthday in May, or you simply want to indulge in what has been considered the most romantic gemstone, consider one of these emerald birthstone pieces from our favorite ethical and sustainable jewelry brands!
1. Mejuri
Best For | Layered necklaces
Ethics | Recycled precious metals & responsibly sourced stones, responsibly made around the world, gives back via women’s empowerment fund
Price Range | $128–$500
Mejuri‘s emerald collection includes drop necklaces, delicate bracelets, statement earrings, and more. Choose from silver or gold vermeil depending on your preferred metal and wear that pop of green with the utmost pride. Mejuri works with recycled gold to reduce its environmental footprint, promising that all gold is certified recycled from scraps or post-consumer sources. Every piece comes with a two-year warranty. Read our full review of Mejuri here.
2. GLDN
Best For | Minimalist gems
Ethics | Handmade, 90% recycled materials, donates 10% profits, 85% pieces are made to order
Price Range | $19–$95
GLDN is our go-to shop for birth flowers and zodiac engravings, but also for delicate birthstone jewelry you can layer and dress up (or down!). We love the tiny stud earrings and anklet pieces, all of which come with silver, gold fill, rose gold fill, or solid gold options. When your friends ask about your piece, be sure to share the backstory of the brand—this isn’t your typical everyday jewelry. Rather, GLDN was started in the founder’s kitchen and is committed to creating gorgeous handcrafted, sustainable jewelry, all at affordable price points.
3. Maya Brenner
Best For | Birthstone rings
Ethics | Handmade in CA
Price Range | $270–$445
If Maya Brenner sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve heard about the LA-based brand from its appearance on red carpets. Loved by celebrities like Mila Kunis, Maya Brenner’s jewelry is often spotted around Hollywood and beyond. While celebrity-backing is nice, we love the brand for its handmade birthstone pieces, including stud earrings, pendant necklaces and more. These are statement pieces everyone can wear!
4. Aurate
Best For | Vintage cut rings
Ethics | Recycled precious metals, gives back to three charities, responsibly made & sourced worldwide
Price Range | $200–$800
We are swooning over the vintage cut in this emerald birthstone ring from Aurate! In addition to rings, the sustainable brand also crafts small studs and delicate chain threads, which are perfect for everyday wear or for people who seldom wear jewelry. Choose from yellow, rose, or white recycled gold for your piece. And rest assured knowing Aurate pieces are handmade using responsibly sourced materials. Plus, your emerald piece is backed by a lifetime guarantee!
5. Brilliant Earth
Best For | Statement pieces and engagement rings
Ethics | Recycled precious metals, conflict-free stones, certified CarbonFree, eco-friendly wood packaging
Price Range | $175–$8500+
For emerald birthstone pieces with a bit more pizazz, we love the sustainable jewelry brand Brilliant Earth for its heirloom-quality statement collections. These ready-to-wear showstoppers are truly unique and often come with a higher price tag to match the quality. If you really want to go all out, you can even purchase a loose stone to design something special for yourself or your loved one. Brilliant Earth offers free shipping, 30-day returns, and a lifetime warranty.
Featured image by Mejuri
