Shop the May Birthstone: Emerald and Green Watches

Every month of the year has a special gemstone meant to reflect and celebrate those born during that month. In May, the stunning green emerald takes center stage, a gorgeous gesture toward the budding trees and springtime glow of this special time. Those who wear emeralds or even just the color green in May are thought to be blessed with protection, luck, and good health. These benefits are granted tenfold to those who are born in May and are wearing their signature birthstone.

Whether you are celebrating someone born in May or simply love the evocative and refreshing hue of emeralds, incorporating this color into your watch box is a must. Green watches also make excellent birthday gifts for those Taurus and Gemini zodiac signs in your life. Join us as we showcase some of our favorite emerald-inspired watches for the fifth month of the year.

The emerald has been beloved across the globe for millenia. While some months have a “traditional” and a “modern” birthstone, May has a singular representation. After all, it is difficult to argue against the power of the breathtaking green emerald.

Emeralds have been favored by royalty and ruling empires dating back to the days of Cleopatra, who was said to have a penchant for the glamorous green stone. The largest known emerald, called the Atahualpa Emerald, was stolen from the Incan emperor Atahualpa by conqueror Francisco Pizarro. The Atahualpa Emerald is currently set among many other smaller emeralds in the gold “Crown of the Andes,” which you can see on display at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. These are just a few examples of the many emeralds incorporated into royal jewel collections and precious settings around the world.

May birthstones are mined in many different locations, but Colombian emeralds are generally considered the gold standard. Emeralds showcase a range of green hues, with options including darker forest greens, yellowy lighter greens, and everything in between.

The precious emerald is widely considered among the top four precious gems (other members of this elite group include diamonds, rubies, and sapphires). However, of these elite stones, emeralds are the least durable, making them a delicate option that is not always suitable for certain watch and jewelry applications.

The Mohs scale of hardness is used to measure the relative hardness of minerals, including gems. Diamonds are the hardest known mineral, rated a 10 on the Mohs scale. Sapphires and rubies follow shortly thereafter, ranked at 9. Emeralds are ranked between 7.5 and 8, making them less durable than some other key precious gems. That said, emeralds can still be used in some jewelry, but they are better suited for low-touch locations such as necklaces and earrings.

Using emeralds in pieces that may bump up against things, such as bracelets, watches, and rings, can lead to scratches and damage. As such, if you are looking to channel the spirit of the emerald in your watch collection, opting for green hues rather than the stone itself can be a promising path forward.

Are you celebrating your birthday in May or shopping for someone else who is? Lucky for you, we have an incredible collection of emerald-inspired timepieces here at Avi & Co. Discover our wide range of luxury watches, representing the world’s most renowned brands.

You will see a number of Rolex watches on our list, perhaps because a deep emerald green is the brand’s hallmark color. This Rolex Datejust 41 showcases a slightly lighter green hue that evokes the look of raw emeralds, just pulled from the Colombian mines. The cooler green variant perfectly complements the stainless steel case and Jubilee bracelet, a five-link masterclass in alternating polished and brushed surfaces. Add to the equation the polished, smooth bezel, and you have a sleek and minimalist take on a truly iconic Rolex. The Datejust line is a well-established dress watch with a storied history of success and renown. The 3 o’clock date window and readable, streamlined dial combine the best of a light touch in form and function. This is a watch that will never go out of style.

When you picture the color emerald green, a watch like this one is probably what comes to mind. A triumph from the Patek Philippe Complications line, this World Time watch shows off design and innovation prowess to the maximum. The 40 mm circular case is crafted from luminous and durable platinum, containing an impressive display with 24 timezones and a flyback chronograph function. The backside of the case features a skeletonized display offering the wearer an inside look at the timepiece’s impressive mechanical artistry. From the green opaline dial to the chic green alligator leather strap, this watch embodies the May birthstone in every sense of the world.

Here is a Rolex that embraces the brand’s signature color to the maximum. This yellow gold and green Rolex Daytona has been dubbed the “John Mayer 2.0,” a nickname that evokes the famed musician’s affinity for this particular watch. It truly is a paramount example of the beauty and functionality that the Rolex Daytona embodies. The stunning sheen of the 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet and case offsets the rich, emerald green dial in a stylish manner. The tachymeter bezel and brushed gold chronograph subdials show off Rolex’s commitment to legendary craftsmanship and design. Details are everything at the brand dubbed “The Crown,” and the John Mayer 2.0 Daytona lives up to that standard and then some.

For a more subdued take on emerald hues, turn to Audemars Piguet’s take on a green dial. This rose gold watch is a stunning riff on the classic Royal Oak line. It showcases some of the collection’s classic attributes, including an octagonal bezel, exposed lugs, and an integrated bracelet. Yet it also diverges notably from the original Royal Oak timepieces of the 1970s, adding an eye-catching diamond bezel and a warm, olive-green dial that are sure to turn heads. The date window at the 3 o'clock position is also a welcome addition to the original design. The combination of color and precious gems here makes this 37 mm timepiece the perfect gift for a milestone birthday or even a notable anniversary. Its midsize case is well-suited for wearers of either gender, especially as smaller watch cases for men become ever more popular.

At Avi & Co., we take luxury seriously. Our HUE Collection is the perfect example of that commitment, showcasing precious gems set across the bezels, dials, and bracelets of our prestigious timepieces. Since the HUE Collection first launched, it has been a major hit with celebrities and A-listers as well as everyday collectors looking to add a little bit of color and sparkle to their watch boxes. The HUE watches are available in two sizes (37 mm and 44 mm) and four different gemstones colorways: red rubies, pink sapphires, blue sapphires, and green tsavorite. For those who are looking to channel the magic of emeralds, green tsavorite is an ideal pick. It is durable and highly wearable in a high-touch location like the wrist without compromising the integrity and appeal of the stone. Plus, its lush green hues evoke the springtime splendor of emeralds themselves.

It feels fitting to both begin and end this list with a regal Rolex watch. We close out with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, a streamlined and stunning classic from one of the most iconic brands of the century. Here, an enamel green dial provides a bold contrast to the stainless steel case and bracelet. The luminous white hour markers set off the rich emerald hues nicely, offering a sleek and timeless look that will be just as stylish five decades from now as it is today. You will never go wrong with a decadent Rolex like this one, and the burst of green pigment on the dial is the perfect way to showcase your personality, your birth month, or simply your favorite color.

Here at Avi & Co., we are proud to be one of Manhattan’s premier destinations for both luxury watches and fine diamond jewelry. From Rolex to Richard Mille and from Audemars Piguet to Patek Philippe, our three showrooms are stocked with glamorous accessories and collectible timepieces that you will be thrilled to fasten around your wrist. Do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line when you visit.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person today. We cannot wait to welcome you into our Avi & Co. family.