April showers bring May…you know the saying.With blooming flowers and lush greenery, spring is a beautiful time forrenewal. If you’re starting a new chapter with your love, why not celebratewith a gorgeous emerald that’s as green as your surroundings? Learn more aboutthe striking May birthstone!
Whatis an Emerald?
Emeralds are technically cousins with aquamarine (March’s birthstone), as both gemsare members of the beryl mineral family. While aquamarine is the pure andsoothing blue-green version of beryl, emeralds display the ideal, rich shade ofgreen. Stones with a deeper green tone will be more valuable, but the rarestemeralds give off an intense green-blue hue.
Much like diamonds, emeralds are evaluated based on the 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity and carat weight.In addition to color, cut is another key characteristic for these stones. Youmight notice that most emeralds feature a rectangular shape with small, roundededges, step cuts and a large, flat surface at the top of the gem (aka an emerald cut). That’s because emerald crystalsgrow in hexagon-shaped columns with flat tops, and this type of cut enhancesits breathtaking color.
But first and foremost, gem experts encourageshoppers to focus on that bold, green color. Choose emeralds with anevenly-distributed tone and steer clear of stones that appear too dark!
*ProTip: Shop for emeralds with a keen eye. Some retailerslabel all green beryl gems as emeralds, but they’re not all emeralds! Mostexperts agree that light green beryl stones are simply green beryl gems vs.emeralds. Therefore, gravitate toward that stunning, deep green shade, ifyou’re seeking an authentic emerald.
Image courtesy of GIA
Historyof the Emerald
Emeralds get their name from the ancient Greekterm for “green.” In fact, Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and philosopher whowrote one of the first encyclopedias of the Common Era, described the stone asthe greenest item in existence.
The oldest emerald mines were documented inEgypt around 330 BCE and were used into the 1700s. Emeralds made fashionablepieces of jewelry, and they were even buried with Egyptian rulers in hopes ofprotecting them from danger. Once the gems were discovered in South America,Colombia became the most important emerald supplier for more than 500 years.Some of the finest emeralds are found here, and all other stones are comparedto their quality.
Three Colombian towns are particularly notablewhen it comes to emerald production. Muzo is responsible for darker, pure greengems; Chivor is known for generating stones with lighter and bluish-green hues;and Coscuez is typically associated with gems that have a yellowish-green tint.Other substantial emerald producers include Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan andAfghanistan.
Throughout history, people have believed thatthe stones would make them more intelligent, quick-witted and eloquentspeakers. And according to legend, placing an emerald under your tongue couldhelp you predict the future. But today, these green gems represent qualitieslike loyalty, security, peace and new beginnings.
FunEmerald Facts
In their natural form, certainemerald crystals can grow to be a foot long!
Some of the world’s oldestemeralds reportedly formed in South Africa nearly 3 billion years ago!
These stones score between 7.5 and8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale – a scale that ranks thedurability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. That means emeralds are afairly durable gem. However, they’re more likely to scratch than diamonds, sotake extra care if you wear them daily!
Egyptian queen Cleopatra wasapparently fond of emeralds and often wore them as accessories. She evenreportedly took control of all Egyptian mines that yielded the stones.
The Crown of the Andes, which is considered amongcolonial South America’s most significant gold creations, was crafted todecorate an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception in what’s nowknown as Colombia. The intricate piece features more than 440 emeralds, includingthe 24-carat “Atahualpa emerald.” According to legend, the impressive stoneonce belonged to Incan Emperor Atahualpa.
When emeralds have fractures thatreach the surface of a stone, the cracks are sometimes filled with oils, waxesand artificial resins to improve clarity (aka fracture fillings). If youremerald has a fracture filling, avoid washing your hands or dishes in hotwater, as this could damage your gem!
The Emerald Buddha, a religiousstatue in Thailand that depicts a meditating Gautama Buddha, is actually madeof a form of jade vs. emerald!
Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor and members of the British monarchy are just some celebrities who have made emerald jewelry a fashion statement. In fact, Taylor’s emerald and diamond necklace, which she received as a wedding present from actor Richard Burton in 1964, sold for more than $6.5 million in 2011!
The historic Hooker Emerald, abluish-green stone weighing 75.47 carats, was reportedly a piece in the OttomanEmpire’s crown jewels. It’s said that Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the last ruler of the empire, wore the gemon his belt buckle. The piece was later purchased by Tiffany & Co. andeventually donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it has been on displaysince 2010.
Photo by Chip Clark, courtesy Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History.
ShopOur Favorite Emerald Jewelry
Calia Round Emerald Straight Engagement Ring
Allen Emerald Men’s Ring
Sienna Emerald Pendant Necklace
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