May is an exciting month for many reasons, not simply because it’s the month we’re planning to reopen our doors and welcome our customers in store to cast their eyes over our new luxury interior, but because it’s the month we celebrate the gemstone Emerald – we’ll be revealing our official opening date very soon so make sure you’re following us on social media to be among the first to know!

Wakefields Jewellers Emerald Diamond Ring on Hand

Emerald is the official birthstone of May, and an incredibly popular stone for May babies and gemstone jewellery lovers alike. Its exotic green hue is truly captivating and provides a wonderful contrast when set amidst diamonds and precious metals.

First discovered in 1830, the gemstone is steeped in lore, historical references and superstitions. We’ll be sharing a few of our most favourite facts about the gemstone with you in this post.

 • Emeralds are made from the mineral beryl. Their iconic green colour comes from chromium or vanadium within the geomstones.

• Registering at 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, emerald would be considered equal to steal in hardness, however the gemstones contain natural inclusions which can cause them to be quite brittle.

• The word “emerald” comes from the Latin / Greek smaragdus meaning “green”

• When celebrating your 55th wedding anniversary, it’s traditional for emerald to be given as a gift.

 Wakefields Jewellers Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant on Flower and Blossom

• The majority of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, because of this their emeralds are held as the best standard to measure all other sources against.

• Evocative of springtime, emerald’s vibrant green hue is symbolic of growth and fertility.

• A popular gift to give to young wives during Roman times, emerald is also said to symbolise prosperity, love, health and vitality.

• Cleopatra absolutely loved to wear Emeralds because the ancient Egyptians believed that emeralds were the secret to eternal youth. Because of this many emeralds have been found inside the tombs of pharaohs over the years.

 

• It wasn’t just the Egyptians who adored Emeralds, the gemstones were also a focus in South American culture too with the ancient civilisation of Incas worshipping emeralds as gods.

• Ireland is often referred to as the ‘Emerald Isle’ because of its lusciously green landscape. Though emeralds have never naturally occurred in Ireland, they are incredibly popular culturally within the country, since the colour green is synonymous with their national identity.

• During medieval times in Europe, it was said that placing an emerald gemstone under your tongue would help you see into the future.

 If you're interested in explore our Emerald fine jewellery collections, you can browse our range online - we have an exquisite selection of emerald earrings, pendants and rings to discover. You can also get in touch with us to request more information or arrange a viewing of any of the fine jewellery designs that you are interested in on our website, our team of highly skilled sales consultants will be only too happy to assist you further with your enquiry.