For those born in May or under the Zodiac sign of Cancer, an emerald ring makes a perfect birthday gift. It is said that the Romans believed emeralds represented faithfulness and continuity. For this reason, an emerald diamond engagement ring or even an emerald wedding ring is a unique and meaningful way to symbolize true love. A white gold emerald ring is an especially popular choice among younger engaged couples.

However, the eternal faithfulness of emeralds requires eternal care. Emeralds are not as hard as diamonds, and therefore should not be cleaned with the same methods. The Mohs Scale measures gemstones based on hardness. The diamond is the strongest stone ranking a full 10 on the Mohs Scale. In contrast, the emerald measures between 7.5 and 8 on the same scale. Cracks and inclusions often exist in emerald jewelry, though to the naked eye they are unnoticeable.

Due the fragility of the emerald, do not use an ultrasonic cleaner to replenish the stone's brilliance. Whether you own an emerald ring, earrings or a pendant, use a soft cloth to maintain the stone's shimmer. Or, you can bring your jewelry into a professional jeweler for proper cleaning. Always store your emeralds individually in soft cloths. Also, protect your emeralds from elements such as perfume or soap, as they may harm the stone. A helpful hint: put your jewelry on after you've applied makeup and perfume.

The Cut Matters
Certain cuts of the emerald show off the gemstone's brilliance. The emerald cut, or octagonal cut, is rectangular in shape. The large surface area allows light to penetrate the stone and delivers a vibrant hue. For emerald diamond rings, this is often the cut of choice.