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It’s time to introduce May’s gemstone of the month, the brilliant green Emerald!
The cool remnants of winter are gone, and the spring weather is beginning to warm up, so it’s time to look at the May gemstone of the month, the emerald.
Along with being the birthstone for May, the emerald is also the gemstone for both the 20th and 30th wedding anniversaries. So, if you’re approaching one of those excellent milestones, it’s time to start looking at emeralds!
What is May’s Gemstone or Birthstone?
Emeralds are the birthstone for May and are a symbol of rebirth. It’s believed that the emerald grants the owner or wearer good fortune, foresight, and youth. The word emerald is derived from the word smaragdus, which means green in Greek.
Emerald Facts and Symbolism
Ancient legends say that God gave Soloman four precious stones, and one of those four stones was believed to be an emerald. Wearers of emeralds used to believe that by wearing the stone, they could see the future, reveal the truth, and protect themselves against evil spells.
Along with protecting the wearer from evil, it was also believed that the emerald could potentially cure diseases such as malaria and cholera.
In 2011, an emerald pendant owned by Elizabeth Taylor sold for $6,578,500, which was a per-carat record of $280,000 at the time of sale.
The History of the Emerald
Emeralds are a type of beryl, which is a mineral that’s composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. Aquamarine also falls into this category. Emeralds range from 7.5 to 8.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, in comparison to a diamond, which ranks at 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
The first recorded history of emeralds being mined was in Egypt in 330 BC, and Cleopatra had a deep love for this green gemstone.
When Spanish explorers invaded the New World in the 1500s, emeralds were part of the plunder they stole.
Today, most emeralds are mined in Brazil, Columbia, and Zambia, although it’s possible to find emeralds worldwide.
Because of their brittle nature and natural fractures, emeralds are one of the most challenging gemstones to cut. Many emeralds are cut into rectangular step cuts known as emerald shapes. Due to the fact emeralds are less dense than a diamond, a 1-carat emerald will appear much larger than a 1-carat diamond.
The Best Way to Wear Your Emerald Jewelry
The blue and green hue of emeralds means they fall into the cool color palette and look best when worn by people who look good wearing cool colors. However, if your emerald is set in warm metals such as rose gold or yellow gold, it can be worn with a warm color palette.
At deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, we stock a wide selection of beautiful diamond jewelry and timepieces, including exquisite diamond engagement rings, perfect for an engagement proposal or special occasion or to let someone know how much you care and appreciate them.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us with any questions about diamond jewelry purchases or for assistance in finding the perfect diamond accessory this year.