When he was 16, St. Patrick was abducted and taken to Ireland, where he was a held captive for six years. During this time, he turned to prayer and became a devout Christian. According to his writings, one night while St. Patrick was praying he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go to his own country. St. Patrick escaped and walked 200 miles to the Irish coast, and eventually returned to his home and family.

Once home in England, St. Patrick began to study for the ministry and sensed God calling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He heeded this call and, once he was ordained, he headed back to the Emerald Isle, where he sought to share the message of God’s love.

In honor of the real St. Patrick, let’s take a look at three green gemstones—stones in the color of the life that he sought to bring to the Emerald Isle.

Emerald

As one of the four classic precious gemstones, the emerald has been adored for thousands of years. While it’s been used in jewelry for millennia, it’s a particularly stylish pick at present: “Emerald” was named Pantone’s color of the year. The rich green sparkle of emerald jewelry of all kinds brings to mind a lush field of grass after a summer rain. For instance, the Emerald and Diamond Victorian Ring in 14K White Gold emphasizes the timeless beauty of the emerald, placing it in a lavish vintage setting. Pair it or any other emerald ring with the Emerald Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold for a look that’s pulled together and full of life.

Peridot

Peridot has a more golden hue than the emerald, calling to mind a sun-drenched spring day. It, too, has been used in jewelry for thousands of years and was nicknamed the “emerald of the evening” by the Romans for its ability to retain its fresh green color, even in the dim lights that were used after dusk. Peridot jewelry such as the 1.75 Carat Oval Cut Peridot and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold is a lively pick for St. Patrick’s Day.

Green Amethyst

Green amethyst may not be as well-known as emerald or peridot, nor does it have as long a history as a gemstone, but it provides equally intriguing color. Green amethyst jewelry like the Sea-Foam Green Amethyst and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold provides an alluring soft green sparkle that’s simultaneously soothing and refreshing.

Pieces that feature emerald, peridot or green amethyst are excellent picks for St. Patrick’s Day. Choose one of these glimmering green stones to symbolize life—and the message of the real St. Patrick.

Emeralds glimmer with the color of life and vibrancy. The word emerald literally means “green gemstone”; thus it’s no surprise that this stone displays a vibrant green glimmer unlike that of any other gem. While this color is the result of traces of chromium, its resemblance to a lush field of grass after a summer rain allows it to represent love that’s full of life and that’s always growing.

The 1 Carat Art Deco Emerald Engagement Ring in 14K White Gold capitalizes on the emerald’s ability to communicate life with a lively floral motif. This ring is inspired by the Art Deco Period, but the vibrant gemstone that it holds makes it a lovely choice for modern women. A brilliant emerald is revealed as the gleaming 14K white gold petals of a lotus flower open in graceful fashion. This striking flower is perfectly complemented by the carved swirls and leaves that adorn that band that holds it. If you prefer, this lovely ring is also available as part of a coordinating bridal jewelry set.

Emeralds never go out of style. The emerald has proven its ability to win eyes and hearts for thousands of years and its appeal shows no signs of waning. Civilizations around the globe, from Africa to South America, have favored this gem, and the Egyptians mined them as early as 3000 B.C. Throughout its long history, the emerald has proven its ability to dazzle no matter what’s trending at any given time.

Three-stone rings and solitaires are timeless looks, and when they’re adorned with emeralds, they take on a trend-defying vibrancy that makes them perpetually fresh and stylish picks. The Three Stone Emerald and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold is an excellent example. This classically beautiful ring features a round 4mm emerald that provides a shot of green sparkle as it sits elegantly between two smaller round diamonds.

Emeralds are unexpected picks for wedding jewelry, allowing them to create symbols of a love that keeps you on your toes. Admittedly, emeralds aren’t traditional picks for popping the question, but their unexpected beauty is part of what allows them express that the love you share is never mundane. The Antique-Style Emerald Wedding Ring Set uses this element of surprise to enliven a Victorian-style engagement ring and wedding band set. The engagement ring is set with a 4.5mm emerald that stands out against a backdrop of swirls and cutouts, while a coordinating wedding band echoes this feminine motif.

Emerald rings may not be expected picks for engagement rings, but their ability to express life-filled love makes them excellent choices. Choose one to express the vibrancy of your bond.

So, what exactly is Art Deco? It’s a style of design that was popular in the Roaring 20s, characterized by geometric shapes and highly-stylized motifs such as animals and flowers. The lines and shapes of Art Deco influenced the design of everything from architecture (such as the Chrysler Building in New York City) and automobiles to clothing and jewelry.

Art Deco originated in France and gained favor after the 1925 World’s Fair, held in Paris, when examples of this style were on display for many to see. The name “Art Deco” is a shortened form of the name of the event that showcased this style—the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts)—and this term has come to embody the decorative, geometric designs of this style.

Art Deco jewelry often featured intricate geometric patterns, as demonstrated by the Vintage Art Deco Emerald Ring. The sweeping lines that point to this ring’s gemstone create an architectural look that gives evidence to the fact that it was constructed with great care. A 4mm round emerald and two smaller diamonds are upheld by these lines of 14K white gold, serving as vibrant accents to a motif that’s full of movement.

Modern gems can provide a lovely complement to Art Deco styles. The stone featured in the Roman Art Deco Tanzanite and Diamond Ring wasn’t discovered until approximately a half a century after the Art Deco period, but this 6mm round tanzanite works perfectly with the modern personality of this ring, adding a pop of cornflower blue sparkle to a classy vintage setting.

Any Art Deco-inspired ring could serve as a unique and stunning engagement ring. Whether you choose a piece with a brightly-colored gemstone or a vintage diamond ring, Art Deco styles readily communicate that your love is able to withstand the test of time.

If you’d prefer a diamond style, consider the 1/4 Carat Art Deco Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold. This one-of-a-kind piece is an excellent example of the stylized flowers that were often seen in Art Deco designs: a shining lotus blossom opens its petals to reveal a dazzling ¼ carat round diamond. This flower is contrasted by the intricately carved leaf and swirl motif that accents the band. It’s a look that’s full of life, despite the fact that it’s inspired by a design that’s nearly a century old.

While Art Deco faded during the Great Depression, it was never forgotten. Today, it’s back in a big way, and antique-style rings that feature the designs of this period are timeless pieces of class and beauty.

Emerald is making waves in the words of fashion, beauty and interior design, and it all started with a gemstone that’s been loved for thousands of years. A Pantone press release describes this gem: “Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life … It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity—no other color conveys regeneration more than green.”

The vibrant sparkle of emerald enables it to give a fresh look to styles from the past, while its timeless beauty allows it to honor the past with an allure that never goes out of style. For instance, the Enchanted Emerald Ring in 14K White Gold surrounds a brilliant emerald with a Victorian design that’s rich with swirls and tiny cutouts. It’s a design that’s full of feminine charm and contagious life.

If you’d prefer a clean, classic look consider a solitaire or a three-stone style such as the Three Stone Emerald Ring in 14K White Gold.  A 4mm round emerald is hugged by two slightly smaller stones, creating a look that’s unfussy and timelessly beautiful.

Emerald pendants are another lovely way to enjoy the rich color and sparkle of emerald, and Apples of Gold carries a range of styles that will instantly perk up your look. For instance, the Emerald and Diamond Flower Pendant in 10K White Gold creates a glimmering flower from five marquis-cut emeralds, and accents it with a diamond-embellished swirl. It’s a lighthearted nod to the life-filled sparkle of emerald.

Emerald earrings can add an extra touch of this vibrant color that lights up your face and adds sparkle to your eyes, whether you choose a pair that combines diamonds and emeralds or one that features the green gems on their own. Simple stud styles such as the Emerald Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold coordinate readily with any emerald jewelry or are lovely on by themselves. This pair is available with your choice of 4mm, 5mm or 6mm stones, as well as push back or screw back closures.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, confirms that “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate.” There’s no denying the allure of this green gemstone, and there’s no better time than the present to accessorize with jewelry that features its vibrant glimmer.

These rings originate in a simpler time—a time before cell phones, the internet and instant everything, when life moved at a markedly slower pace. By slipping one of them on your finger, you bring to mind a less complicated era when beauty and romance were celebrated and savored.

Apples of Gold’s collection of vintage gemstone rings features a range of stone, from jewelry classics like emerald and amethyst to unique gems such as pink topaz. Each one gives these time-honored styles a new personality, providing a number of modern interpretations for today’s women.

The Vintage Emerald-Cut Amethyst Ring in 14K White Gold places a stunning emerald-cut amethyst, 10mm high, on display like a piece of fine art in an exquisite frame. However, unlike the pieces that line museum walls, this piece showcases its beauty wherever you go. A sizeable, glimmering violet stone gives a regal personality to this ring; however, that’ not all there is to admire about this piece. An elegant filigree setting surrounds this Victorian-style ring, making clear the level of craftsmanship that was poured into creating it.

Fans of 1920s-inspired style also have a number of head-turning bridal pieces to choose from. For example, the Vintage Floral Aquamarine Ring in 14K White Gold places a cool, glimmering aquamarine, over a half carat in weight, in the spotlight. A lavishly carved floral motif adorns the band, giving this piece a look that’s extraordinarily beautiful.

In addition to their ability to make statement of style and good taste, vintage gemstone rings can also communicate lasting love. Gemstone engagement rings inspired by the past readily serve as symbols of love that stands the test of time. Celebrities including Carrie Underwood and Emily Blunt wear vintage styles on their left hands, demonstrating that these rings can serve as incredibly glamorous symbols of lasting affection.

For example, the Enchanted Garnet Ring in 14K White Gold seems to have been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. A round garnet adds a burst of rich crimson glimmer, and gives this ring a timeless appeal. Victorian-inspired filigree creates an airy yet substantial setting that’s rich with lively swirls. While this ring is a striking fashion statement on its own, it also readily symbolizes love when it takes on the role of a unique engagement ring. Or, if you’d prefer a perfectly coordinated wedding jewelry set, this ring is also available as part of the Garnet Bridal Wedding Ring Set in 14K White Gold.

Whether you’re looking for a ring that’s on trend for your right hand or a unique engagement ring, vintage gemstone rings deliver. Each of these pieces provides a touch of the past that’s welcome in the present.

The word emerald means “green gemstone”—not a surprise for a stone that’s often defined by its color. This gem’s vibrant hue conveys a sense of luxurious beauty that’s made it a favorite for thousands of years. Civilizations around the world have adored this stone, from the Egyptians to the Incas.

Green is the color that’s often associated with life and growth, and it’s an unexpected but gorgeous way to celebrate love that fills you with life. Engagement rings and bridal jewelry sets that feature the green gemstone, the emerald, capture a love that lives on no matter what.

The 14K white gold 0.45 Carat Emerald and Diamond Flower Twist Ring puts a glimmering 1 carat oval-shaped emerald on display like the center of a flower in full bloom. A total of 16 small round diamonds, 0.45 carats in all, serve as strong supporting players: 10 round diamonds, five on the top and five on the bottom, hug this green gem like petite petals, while six additional channel-set diamonds accent the band on either side. This nature-inspired style is a lovely way to represent love that causes your heart to blossom.

If a more traditional style seems more fitting, consider the 14K Gold Three Stone Emerald and Diamond Ring. This simply stunning piece puts a slight, contemporary twist on the classic three-stone ring, accenting a 5.5mm round emerald with two smaller round diamonds. A cathedral setting sweeps up to meet these diamonds while the emerald is held in place by a timeless four-prong setting. The contrast between brilliant green and colorless sparkle makes this ring truly eye-catching. Like a number of Apples of Gold’s emerald and diamond rings, this piece is able to surpass trends but is perfect for the present.