Going Green for St. Patrick's Day

Boston has many festivities planned during the holiday week of St. Patrick's Day. It's so popular that it typically draws more than than 600,000 visitors to the city with its cherished traditions like the annual dyeing of the Chicago River.

This unique and colorful tradition started back in 1962, when city workers used dyes to discover illegal sewage discharges. This led to them thinking it might be a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and that year they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river–whoa!

Today, much less dye is used and the river only turns green for about 5 hours!

Boston is proud of its Irish heritage and the city still holds our country's biggest and most festive St. Patrick's Day parades. And let's not forget...there are more Irish pubs there than any other place in the nation!

Here are a few more fun facts about St. Patrick's Day...

Fun Facts about St. Patrick's Day!

• Saint Patrick didn’t wear green!  His color was blue. The color green became connected with this holiday after it was linked to the Irish independence movement in the late 18th century.
• Saint Patrick was British!  He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century.
• According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he first taught about Christianity to Ireland.
• It is believed that Saint Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, but there is a small problem with this—according to the fossil record, Ireland has never had snakes as its cold climate was not suitable for reptiles during the Ice Age. And the surrounding seas have kept them out since!
• The traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal of corned beef and cabbage doesn't have any corn in it! The corn refers to the method by which they cure the meat.
• Irish immigrants began observing St. Patrick’s Day in Boston in 1737 and the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in America was held in New York City, not Boston, in 1766.

In honor of this day, we thought we'd share with you some of our favorite "green" jewelry pieces. Check them out!

Our Favorite Green Gems

Estate 14K Yellow Gold Marquise Shaped Green Jade Fashion Ring

This one-of-a-kind vintage estate ring is from the mid-century era featuring a stunning jade center accented by 14K yellow gold!

14K White Gold Emerald Stackable Birthstone Ring

This is the perfect stackable green ring. With its 14K white gold band filled with round emeralds, it's perfect for your St. Paddy's Day fun! It's also available in yellow and rose gold. 

Estate Synthetic Emerald and Genuine Diamond Fashion Ring

This pre-owned fashion band features a synthetic princess cut emerald accented by round and baguette shaped diamonds—this modern era estate ring is simply beautiful!

Kendra Scott Brett Emerald Glass Long Bolo Necklace

This Kendra Scott Brett Emerald Glass Long Bolo Necklace is a beauty! With its faceted oval clear emerald glass in the perfect shade of green, it will make anything you wear go to the next level of class and sophistication.

Lafonn Simulated Emerald and Simulated Diamond Halo Birthstone Earrings

These classic birthstone earrings will add the perfect pop of green to any outfit you wear! These earrings feature platinum bonded sterling silver and round simulated emerald centers accented by 36 pave set round Lassaire simulated diamonds—just the right touch of green you're looking for!

Estate 14K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond 3-Stone Ring

Another vintage estate ring from the modern era, this one features a emerald-cut center emerald, accented by 2 round diamonds with the center emerald set in a heavy bezel—we love it and believe you will too!

Lafonn Simulated Emerald and Simulated Diamond Halo Birthstone Necklace

Another birthstone jewelry piece, this necklace is platinum bonded sterling silver and has a round simulated emerald center accented by 21 pave set round Lassaire simulated diamonds. Elegant and pretty!

Estate 14K Yellow Gold Gypsy Set Emerald and Diamond 3-Stone Ring

This sleek and stunning ring is perfect for the fashion forward fashionista! This ring features a round emerald stone center accented by two round diamonds. All 3 stones are gypsy set flush into a high polished 14K yellow gold band—it is exquisite! 

 We hope you enjoyed our "Going Green" jewelry and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 We're honored that Mullen Bros. Jewelers ranks #1 in overall customer ratings among all jewelry stores in Southeastern Massachusetts and we will continue to take care of our neighbors and friends, one jewel at a time.