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St. Patrick’s Day: Get Your Green Glitz On

St. Patrick’s Day: Get Your Green Glitz On

Tradition says that we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, but it does not say that green can’t sparkle and shine! You do not have to be from the Emerald Isle in order to rock these fabulous pieces. From engaging emeralds to radiant earrings, celebrate with the utmost luxury and style.

Who Was St. Patrick?

There are many legends around this 4th-century saint: that he drove snakes out of Ireland and explained religious doctrine using a shamrock. This slave turned saint was first celebrated in Ireland with religious services.

However, immigrants to the United States transformed this holiday into a largely secular celebration. St. Patrick’s Day is now famous for its fun celebrations, marked by parades and the color green, where both Irish and non-Irish participate in this sparkling shamrock fest.

The Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day
green water coming out of a fountain for St. Patrick's Day

Going Green

The entirety of March is often dedicated to going green for St. Patrick’s Day. Events can be found all over the country, marked by this signature color. 

Green is associated with St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons. Green is a color of nationalism on the Irish flag, it is the color of the shamrock, an Irish symbol, and many believed that wearing green made you invisible to leprechauns.

Wearing green would protect you from these mythical creatures who would pinch anyone NOT wearing the color.

Leprechaun asking are you wearing green?
Dancers for St. Patrick's Day in Boston

Celebrants have come to pinch anyone not wearing green, to remind them of their risk of being pinched by these supernatural beings of Irish folklore.

Green is also the color of spring and the shamrock, and for the last several decades, the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day.

Learn more about May’s birthstone and see celebrity-inspired ways to wear the gem here!

The Emerald Isle

Ireland is revered for its lavish green landscapes, earning it its famous nickname. The perfect green hue of emeralds matches the rolling hills of the Irish countryside; it is also quite symbolic. 

Green emeralds symbolize spring, rebirth, renewal, wisdom, and are even thought to have healing properties for eyes, ears, and skin. The gemstone is also thought to represent love, faithfulness, and eloquence.

Emeralds are also thought to improve wealth, intelligence, and creativity. Emerald engagement rings symbolize the love that will last forever. It is no wonder this sparkling lush gemstone is the choice of many for their engagement rings.

Check out some emerald engagement rings from James Allen or go here to design your own!

Round Split Halo Engagement Ring 

18K White Gold Round Split Band Diamond Halo Engagement Ring, 1.06 Carat Round Green Emerald

“May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows ay you find a pot of gold.”

-Old Irish Blessing

 Pavé Trio Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Pavé Trio Engagement Ring, 1.02 carat Emerald Natural Green Emerald

“Wishing you a pot o’ gold and all the joy your heart can hold.”

-Unknown

Bezel Set Engagement Ring

“We may have bad weather in Ireland, but the sun shines in the hearts of the people and that keeps us all warm.”

-Marianne Williamson

Cathedral Star Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Cathedral Star Engagement Ring, 1.40 carat Round Natural Green Emerald

“You gotta try your luck at least once a day, because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it.”

-Jimmy Dean

Dazzle For St. Patrick’s Day

James Allen has many options to rock this glimmering green gemstone and sparkle with sophistication. Whether choosing a great pair of earrings, a beautiful bracelet, or a stunning necklace, you can avoid getting pinched with these perfectly green pieces that shine brighter than any pot of gold:

Alternating Oval Hoop Earrings

14K White Gold Alternating Oval Emerald And Round Diamond Hoop Earrings

“The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.”

-Wilson Mizner

Emerald Birthstone Necklace

14K Yellow Gold Emerald Birthstone Necklace

“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”

-Irish Blessing

Emerald Birthstone Earrings

14K Yellow Gold Emerald Birthstone Earrings

“Ireland is a land of poets and legends, of dreamers and rebels.”

-Nora Roberts

Infinity Emerald Birthstone Ring

14K Yellow Gold Infinity Emerald Birthstone Ring

“The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself.”

-Douglas MacArthur

May Birthstone Gifts

Emeralds might be May’s birthstone, but you’ll want to wear this charming gem no matter when you were born. Check out these pieces from James Allen and add color to your jewelry collection. Receiving pieces with this gemstone will truly have you feeling the luck of the Irish.

Oval Halo Earrings

18K White Gold Oval Halo Emerald And Diamond Earrings (6.0x4.0mm)

“The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act.”

-Barbara Sher

Alternating Arrow Milgrain Bezel Ring

14K Yellow Gold Alternating Arrow Shape Milgrain Bezel Emerald And Diamond Ring

“Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.”

-Pope John Paul II

Marquise Emerald Pendant

14K White Gold Marquise Emerald And Diamond Pendant

“Luck is believing you’re lucky.”

-Tennessee Williams

Halo Emerald Earrings

18K White Gold Oval Halo Emerald And Diamond Earrings (6.0x4.0mm)

“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have.”

-Irish Proverb

Check out our other gemstone and birthstone guides:

February Amethysts * March Aquamarines * April Diamonds * May Emeralds * June Pearls * July Rubies * August Peridots * September Sapphires * November Citrines * December Blue Topaz

Check out celebrity engagement rings and looks:

Sofia VergaraHailey Bieber * 2020 Oscars * Royal Engagements * Pippa Middleton * Miranda Kerr * Gwen Stefani, Demi Lovato, & More!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

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Game, Set, Bling: Jewelry Inspired BY The French Open

The second Grand Slam of the year, the French Open held at the Roland-Garros tennis complex in Paris is known for its challenging red clay courts. The sport has long been known for its white outfits as classic as its namesake, the diamond tennis bracelet, yet just as tennis has evolved so has its looks….and its inspo.

Read on to find out how you can shine as bright as the La Coupe des Mousquetaires (The Musketeers’ Trophy).

Jewelry Inspired BY The French Open

Chris Evert & Her Flying Diamonds 

Tennis legend and winner of multiple French Opens, champion Chris Evert is credited with popularizing the modern-day tennis bracelet. The accepted story is that in 1987 at the US Open, during a long volley, her diamond bracelet broke and flew across the court. Ever since they say, it has been known as the tennis bracelet.

While a fitting anecdote, it’s not quite true. The style has been around since the 1920s and the name since the 1970s. However, Evert certainly skyrocketed its popularity and familiarity, thanks to sporting one as she rose through the ranks to become an internationally known tennis star.

Chris Evert & Her Flying Diamonds 
Chris Evert wearing a tennis bracelet while she faces service from Martina Navratilova in the 1978 Wimbledon Final
Photo Getty

Beyond the court, it is no wonder tennis bracelets and necklaces have fast become a staple of fashion. A simple yet elegant, and timeless design, these pieces are made up of a string of diamonds in your chosen metal (platinum, rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold).

From royals to celebs, these diamonds can be seen everywhere! Perfectly appropriate for a black tie event yet just as stylish with a pair of jeans, there’s nothing diamond tennis bracelets (or necklaces) don’t go with! In fact, many brides sport this classic look on their wedding day.

No matter what style you sport on your special day, a diamond tennis bracelet will add those perfect sparkling touches. See below and go to JamesAllen.com for more options!

More Than Just Red Dirt

There are four types of tennis courts: fresh grass, artificial grass, hard courts, and clay. A clay court has multiple layers: thick gravel, crushed gravel, coal residue, crushed white limestone, and finally, red brick dust. It is this final layer that gives the courts of Roland-Garros their famous red color.

Clay is considered the most difficult surface to play on. While grass allows for fast tennis, the dirt of red clay courts is heavier, causing a slower, more tactical game. Likened to a game of chess, every move on a clay court carries that much more importance. One shot can affect the outcome four to five moves later!

Clay is also favorable to players who have a terrific topspin, a spectacular slice, or a dazzling drop shot. Players who master such skills often get to lift the Roland-Garros trophy as champion.

Want to style the color of these hallowed courts? Go for gemstones with red rubies or get yourself gorgeous garnets. Prefer a diamond? Choose a fancy red colored diamond! The gemstones from the fancy dark group are especially perfect. See below for inspo!

Who Was Roland Garros?

Roland-Garros is not only the tennis complex where the French Open takes place, its name is synonymous with the Grand Slam itself. Named after French aviator Roland Garros, the complex was built in 1928, originally for French players to defend their titles in the Davis Cup.

You might assume Garros was a tennis champion himself, or at least a tennis aficionado, even a great fan, but in fact, he was none of these things. Garros was an athlete in just about every sport besides tennis! So who was its namesake?

Roland Garros

In 1909, Garros went to an air show and it was love at first sight. Garros went on to buy a plane, become a self-taught pilot, was the first to complete multiple daring flights, and finally, became a war hero.

Not enough to have taught himself how to fly, Garros invented the first on-board machine gun in planes. A technology the Germans were able to co-opt to their advantage when he was shot down and captured without time to destroy his invention. 

After escaping captivity, his health, including his sight, severely deteriorated, but Garros insisted on getting back in the cockpit. A decision that proved fatal as he was killed in battle in 1918. Years later, a university friend of Garros who was President of the Stade Français, successfully campaigned to have the tennis complex named after his old friend.

The complex’s logo is identifiable to even the most novice tennis fan, and its colors are not random. The green represents the lush trees and lawns around the courts, the white lettering is for the colors of the complex, and red-brown center marks the famous clay courts.

Check out these pieces that are perfect for any match.

Stars To Watch

The French Open is where the stars of tennis from all over the world come to shine. This challenging court brings out the best of the best. This year’s tournament is no exception, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Naomi Osaka who are just a few of the familiar names.

Rising stars to watch are Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and American Coco Gauff. Both are young, powerful, and considered to be dangerously talented. Alcaraz, who went pro at 18 and is the youngest player at 19 years old to reach the Madrid Open semi finals, beating fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz went on to win the entire tournament.

With his whole career ahead of him and a streak as hot as fire, you will not want to take your eye off this young champion.

Right alongside Alcaraz is Coco Gauff. The American is the youngest ranked player at just 18 years old, she is ranked #10 for singles and #15 for doubles, all before she can legally have a drink! Gauff is most famous for beating tennis great Venus Williams when she was just 15 years old!

Gauff is ready to set the tennis world on fire, inspiring young girls everywhere! Want to feel like a champion? Or looking for the perfect gift for your future champion? Check out these options below!

The French Open is the premiere tournament on clay courts. In a complex named after a war hero, riddled with current and future tennis stars, it is a Grand Slam not to be missed! Whether you want to shine as bright as these tennis stars, luxuriate in the beauty of a tennis bracelet (or necklace!), or are looking for a championship-level gift, James Allen has what you need.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

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