Beyond Emeralds: Green Gemstones We’re Honouring this Summer

Green is often associated with nature, youth, and hope. And that is what we look forward to in brighter, warmer months.

While May is associated with emeralds, many gemstones bring something different to the wardrobe. In recent years, we have noticed a steady rise in appreciation for naturally green gemstones among style-driven communities. High jewellery collections featuring the likes of peridot (which varies from bottle-green to zesty lime), tsavorite (coined by an American luxury house) or green sapphire (lesser known than the blue variety) are like a breath of fresh air—welcoming us to steer towards unconventional choices.

See how TVRRINI defines these green gemstones in our way.

Peridot

Minaudière 18K Yellow Gold and Peridot Locket Pendant

Peridot has enjoyed a notable resurgence in jewellery designs. It is recognised for a distinctive olive or bottle-green colour and, after polishing, shows an oily lustre.

The gemstone is divisive. Many people initially find the naturally vivid tones garish or nauseating, but cultural shifts are sweeping. One only needs to look toward the “Brat” album released by Charli XCX, widely embraced as the anthem of summer 2024. Its lime green cover has induced significant waves of fan support for its unapologetic, debauched narrative, spanning digital artwork and high-profile campaigns. 

Another factor impacting the demand for peridot is its rarity. While the mineral olivine, from which peridot derives, occurs in abundance, this does not hold for gem-quality specimens. However, since the recent establishment of the Fuli Gemstones mine near the Changbai Mountains, peridot supply and demand have increased rapidly.

Victorian jewellery often featured peridot, but its history dates back much farther. The Crusaders brought it to Europe from St. John’s Island, a tiny and inhabitable island near Egypt, among the first locations where the gemstone became mined.

Peridot and yellow gold make for a sunny combination. Look towards a vibrant palette with this vintage-inspired pendant, embracing peridot into its structured design.

Tsavorite

Love Key Sterling Silver Rainbow Pavé Pendant including tsavorites

Since the 1960s, a transparent green grossular, tsavorite, has been mined in Kenya. Its defining trait: a vibrantly rich green or bluish green hue that competes with the enduring appeal of Muzo emeralds.

Discovered in 1967 by British gem prospector Campbell R. Bridges, a consultant to Tiffany & Co. at the time, this gemstone was known only to industry specialists. The relative obscurity would change with the extraordinary influence that Tiffany & Co. wielded and continues to have. Then president Henry B. Platt proposed a name after the origin location at the Kenya-Tanzania border near Tsavo National Park. Introduced through a marketing campaign in 1974, tsavorite attracted much greater recognition.

Usually, tsavorite occurs as tiny crystals, and encountering the gemstone in sizes above 3 carats is incredibly rare. The scarcity of the most valuable will continue to drive the appreciation of this fascinatingly rich gemstone.

The gemstone set in sterling silver creates a striking impression in any jewellery ensemble. Part of our Regal Fantasy Collection, the colourful Love Key Pendant draws its shape from Gothic keys with the mesmerising glow of tsavorite, ruby, fancy sapphires, and one carved Tahitian pearl against rhodium-plated silver for a dramatic flourish.

TVRRINI explores the art of reflecting nature as sculpture. In this one-of-a-kind piece, a carnelian forms the carrot, with tsavorites set in silver above it.

Green Sapphire

Nisi "Pebble" detachable drops and green sapphire hooks

For those who want to be more unconventional, consider green sapphires. Note that sapphire other than blue is known as fancy sapphire. The green variety is rare, occurring less frequently than the sought-after blue variety. Yet, it is an attractive gemstone in its own right. They range from intense dark tones to yellowish-green, but fancy sapphire can also be pink, orange, yellow, or colourless.

Green sapphires were known as “oriental peridot” from medieval times until the end of the 19th century. There was a tendency to label gemstones based on their appearance before people started understanding their scientific composition, which developed a more precise understanding of gem identification.

These gold-plated silver and green sapphire earrings nudge wearers towards organic elements, embodying the hand-textured charm that TVRRINI ready-to-wear jewellery is known for.

To make a statement set, pair Gold-Plated Silver with Green Sapphire & Diamond Hoops and "Pebble" Detachable Drops

Your gemstone’s special character

These cufflinks bring inspiration from Baroque architecture, realised in sterling silver, blue and white sapphires, and tsavorites.

Colour is one of the obvious visual features of gemstones--it depends on light. Green gemstones such as peridot, tsavorite, or green sapphire are only a few that are the most desirable. If you would like to explore wearing them by commissioning a personalised design, TVRRINI is pleased to offer bespoke jewellery design and creation aligned to your specific taste. Alongside this, different stone cuts are important to consider as they bring out the natural hue and fire. 

For those who prefer to be understated, consider brilliant-cut with a simple setting so that the gemstone takes the lead. 

Pear-cut, or pendeloque, has been gaining traction, partly due to the ubiquity of popular engagement ring styles like the toi-et-moi (which often features two cut gemstones in contrasting colours, with one brilliant and one pear). 

Step cuts have a sleek appearance, adding a touch of vintage magic to jewellery. Despite having less sparkle than round brilliant cuts, step emerald cuts (as seen in this one-of-a-kind pendant) are a wonderful option for valuable gemstones with high clarity and can add a bold statement to your piece. 

Mixed-cut emeralds in a Hellenistic gold bracelet, showcased at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture in 2025 (Photo: TVRRINI).

And these are simply cuts most popular with the gemstones we have described—there are others that may appeal more to individual preference. Historical jewellery, once reserved for nobility, is rich for inspiration from the rise and evolution of styles. Emeralds used in ancient pieces like those from Hellenistic and Roman times showcase the inclusions and beautiful colour through delicate hand-work, in which contemporary designers still take great pleasure.

If you have the faintest idea of a momentous, bespoke design and want guidance on various aspects, like gemstone cut, shape, size, and colour, asking an experienced jeweller is your priority. At TVRRINI, we would be delighted to have this conversation with you.

Email or call us to book a complimentary Q&A session, share with us your concept, and relax while our in-house artisanal team guides you towards an informed choice.

Cover image: Peridot (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 in the rough form and a cut and polished gem by Sara Abey is licensed under CC BY 4.0