Emerald

Meaning, Significance and Symbology:    
Emerald has been the official birthstone for the month of May since 1912, as well as the Zodiac sign for Taurus and Cancer. The gem is often considered to be the traditional gift to present your partner with on the 20th or 30th Wedding Anniversary depending on the version you reference. Emerald is the only stone, besides Topaz that is listed in all of the ancient birthstone tables. The best emeralds naturally occur in a deep grass green shade with a slightly bluish cast, but many lesser quality stones are lighter shades of green and can have a more yellowish tone.   

 

Source:    
Emeralds are found in many countries, but Columbia and Brazil are major producers, and Columbia is recognised as the source for the finest stones. They are also found in Pakistan, Russia, Australia, South Africa, India, Norway and the United States.   

 

Interesting Facts about Emeralds:    
  • On the Mohs Scale of Hardness emerald is ranked at 7.5 – 8
  • The name emerald is derived from the French ‘esmeraude’ and the Greek ‘smaragdos’ which means ‘green gemstone.’
  • Because emeralds usually contain many cracks, fissures, and inclusions, the majority of these stones are “oiled”. This means that they are immersed in oil which reduces the visibility of the inclusions, and also improves the clarity. Oiling is almost universal and because it is so common today, it is not considered necessary to disclose this fact.
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  • Emeralds are brittle stones and care should be taken when wearing or cleaning them. They should never be immersed in an ultrasonic or subjected to steam cleaning.
  • Emeralds were used as amulets to ward off epilepsy in children and thought to cure diseases of the eye.
  • Folklore suggests that these stones will improve memory, intelligence, and enhance clairvoyance thus helping to predict future events. They are also worn to enhance love and contentment. Cleopatra prized emeralds above all other gems.
  
  • Ancient Egyptians believed that emeralds stood for rebirth and fertility, and could ease childbirth. Many Mummies would be buried with an emerald around their neck in hopes of bringing them eternal youth.
  • Emeralds from what is now Colombia were part of the plunder when sixteenth-century Spanish explorers invaded the New World.
  • The Incas had already been using emeralds in their jewelry and religious ceremonies for 500 years.
  • The Spanish, who treasured gold and silver far more than gems, traded emeralds for precious metals. Their trades opened the eyes of European and Asian royalty to emerald’s majesty.
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five-emeralds

A Few Famous May ‘Emerald’ Birthdays:    


2nd – 
David Beckham

5th – Adele

6th – George Clooney

14th – Mark Zuckerberg

16th – Megan Fox

21st – Tom Daley

19th – Sam Smith

28th – Kylie Minogue