Emerald Stud Earrings in Platinum, 14k Gold, or Silver | Zambian Color | Lab Grown

Emerald stud earrings in solid platinum, 14k white, yellow, or rose gold, or sterling silver

Your rich green Zambian-color emerald earrings are made to order with ethically sourced lab created gemstones and recycled, US-refined precious metals, expertly hand-set in our rural Oregon studio. Founded in 1996, we are a woman-owned US microbusiness creating quality fine jewelry that stands the test of time. Stud earrings are ideal self-love gifts to yourself, with brilliant colors to uplift your spirits and infuse your mood with joy. They are a very popular choice for men's earrings. We also love sending these out as gifts for Mother's Day, Christmas, your partner, or bridesmaids!

A May birthstone, emerald has long been one of the most coveted of gems

These rich green emeralds are the color of nature, prosperity, and peace. Queen Cleopatra famously adorned herself with emeralds. Emerald lore associates the brilliant green gems with royalty, fertility, and immortality, protection from possession by demons, and the ability to cut through illusions and spells. How come Supernatural never gave Sam and Dean emerald pendants? We were robbed! Ahem. Anyway.... in the modern era, emerald is one of the precious gems (ruby, sapphire, and emerald) and a must for any jewelry collection.

One important note on emeralds: we pride ourselves on ethical sourcing, making sure the stones we offer don't come from situations that are dangerous or exploitative to the workers who mine them. Unfortunately due to the locations and political and social conditions of the primary sources of natural emeralds, it's very rare for us to offer natural emeralds because it's rare for us to be able to verify their ethical origins. We advise caution with the natural emerald trade. However we do offer two stunning lab grown options: Zambian color and Colombian color. Zambian is a darker, richer green that brings to mind dense evergreen forests and rainforests. It is what many laypeople would call "emerald green." Colombian is rarer and possesses the emerald "glow" that has captivated through the centuries. It's lighter and vividly colored and brings to mind a tropical pool hidden deep in a jungle. This is what gem collectors would consider the ideal, highest quality emerald color to be.

What are Lab Created gems?

These are no imitation: they're cut from genuine emerald crystals grown in a lab to exactly replicate their formation in the depths of the earth. Lab grown gems provide high-quality gems at a lower cost while avoiding conflict and other ethical issues that sometimes accompany mined stones. Lab created gems are not infinitely available in every possible color forever. And sometimes, colors change or stop being available - which is a good reason to collect these affordable gems when you see something you love for sale. Growers do go out of business or discontinue colors.

Solid Platinum, 14k gold, and silver post earrings: 

Solid recycled precious metal secures your gems using traditional master goldsmithing techniques. We never use glues, cheap lightweight settings, or plated metals. Comfortable and wearable for active lifestyles and those who sleep in their earrings. Nickel free with the exception of 14k white gold.

How to choose a stud earring size:

3mm is a tiny stud earring perfect for cartilage and multiple piercings. 4mm is a dainty stud earring that also works well for cartilage piercings. 5mm is a good minimalist everyday stud earring size. 6mm is large, but still casual. 8mm are statement stud earrings with a bold look. Click through the product photos to see different sizes pictured with a US dime for scale.

What to know about gemstone jewelry:

Gems (yes, even lab created gems!) are individual pieces of nature's art with minor variations in pattern, color, size, and shape. Gem sizes can vary +/- .2mm. Often, large gems are darker than small ones. I do promise you'll be happy with them, and accept exchanges as well as special requests like "Prefer darker green over lighter" which I will do my best to match within my stock. Some gems are fragile and should not go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.