May’s birthstone proves it really is easy being green. Known for their rich green color, it is no wonder this gem representing spring has been beloved for ages. And thanks to the lore attached to it, emeralds are as stylish as they are meaningful. Read on to learn everything about this luscious gemstone and find your gorgeous green beauty.
The May birthstone is emerald. A perfect gemstone for spring thanks to its vibrant green color, emeralds look best when set in yellow or white gold (take your pick!). A highly stylish choice, it is no wonder this gemstone is a global favorite. From celebrities to royals, emeralds are a timeless choice that is all the rage.
Emeralds are chock full of meaning and symbolism. It is thought to be one of the four stones God gave to King Solomon, as part of the four precious stones having the power over all creation.
May’s birthstone was thought to have magical powers in the Middle Ages, able to break spells, cure illnesses, and even bring good fortune. Emeralds are also believed to bring honesty, making it so someone has to tell the truth.
And this gemstone is for lovers. Emeralds have been believed to bring passion and increase love and romantic energy.
Emeralds are known for their deep rich green color. But did you know, the famous green hue of emeralds can vary in depth and purity? In fact, all emeralds have some level of inclusions from the natural growth process.
So how do they get their color? Emeralds are made of the mineral beryl and have impurities such as chromium and vanadium. These allow May’s birthstone to come in shades ranging from light to deep forest green.
Emeralds’ color in fact is so important in its value, the purer the color, the more valuable the emerald.
Emeralds get their name from the French word ‘esmeraude,” which gets its name from the ancient Greek ‘smaragdos,’ which means gem.
Emeralds are estimated to go back as far as three billion years and were recorded in 330 BC in Egypt. Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, was famous for her love of the gemstone. Egyptians as a whole loved emeralds and used them in jewelry, even burying their royalty with them for protection.
In modern times, Columbia has been the main source of emeralds for over 500 years. Emeralds can also be found in Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zambia, and other parts of Africa.
Emeralds rate a 7.5 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Considered strong but not super durable, emeralds can break or chip under high pressure or heat, so it is important to take good care of your gemstone.
It is important to properly care for your emerald jewelry so that it always shines bright and looks luxurious.
Follow these tips to protect your May birthstone jewelry.
Follow these tips to clean your emerald jewelry.
May, like many months of the year, has more than one birthstone. In addition to the popular emerald, agates are also a birthstone for May. Agates are a chalcedony, known for their multitude of colors.
Emeralds have been thought to cure diseases, evoke the truth, and bring love and passion. They certainly bring beauty and style!
Compared to many of their gemstone counterparts, emeralds are priced higher. This is due in large part to their rarity, as well as their color. The purer an emerald’s color, the higher the price.
One of the few precious gemstones, emeralds are special due to their rarity, meaning, and beautifully intense color.
