Did you know there is an item of jewellery you could buy that not only allows you to look fantastic but could also help you to grow both spiritually and mentally? Energising emeralds have long been known for their restorative powers and are considered to be equally potent whether worn as rings, necklaces or even as emerald bracelets.

Believed to promote healing and deepen love and commitment, these glorious green stones provide an antithesis to modern diamond jewellery which is chosen predominantly for its bling factor. This is one reason some people are opting for diamond and emerald engagements rings or diamond and emerald eternity rings over more traditional choices, not only as a refreshing change from the norm but as a statement of their own devotion to each other and adherence to the traits that the emerald exemplifies.

In fact emeralds are held in such high regard, that a good quality emerald can be worth more then a top diamond of the same carat weight. The single most important factor when it comes to choosing an emerald is the colour, as the deepest, richer hues of green tend to be more highly valued. Formed from the mineral beryl, they do actually come in different colours but are then known under different names, such as blue beryl which is called aquamarine. The cut is of secondary importance because if an emerald is cut too shallow it loses some of its brilliance and depth, while if it is cut too deep then not enough light will be able to shine through to allow the colour to properly show up.

As the birthstone for May, emerald earrings, emerald rings or emerald pendants make ideal birthday presents for those lucky enough to be born in this month, although anyone can benefit from the beauty of these fabulous, vibrant gemstones. Emeralds also represent the 55th year of marriage union, so celebrate with a yellow gold or white gold diamond and emerald ring to mark the occasion.

Maintaining emeralds at their best takes just a little bit of care as most have undergone some kind of treatment to improve their appearance. Resins are used to fill in the cracks and the emeralds are coated in oil to prevent further drying out, which is why ultra-sonic cleaning devices should not be used. They are relatively hard stones but the presence of cracks and inclusions can effect their durability.

Michelle Elkins is a contributor to The Diamond Store.co.uk, one of the largest online UK jewellers, which supplies yellow gold and white gold diamond and emerald engagement rings, emerald bracelets, emerald pendants and emerald earrings.