The Emerald, a royal May birthstone
For those born under the sign of Taurus, during the beautiful month of May, this article is for you. Discover why the Emerald, your birthstone, is truly the best to have.
This birthstone’s iconic green color has been closely linked through out history to fertility, rebirth and renewal, making it the perfect stone for the most lush month of spring. The emerald has also enchanted the likes of royalty, from Egyptian pharaohs and Inca emperors to modern day queens and kings.
It’s a variety of the mineral beryl, getting its iconic green color from trace amounts of the chemical elements chromium or vanadium. Today, emerald is also the gemstone given for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
History boasts a remarkable list of renowned emeralds, such as the “Chalk Emerald,” weighing an impressive 37.82 carats, now residing in the United States’ National Gem Collection. Another standout is the magnificent “Mogul Emerald,” estimated at a value of £1.5 million and weighing approximately 217.80 carats. Let’s not forget the famous “Duke of Devonshire Emerald,” a massive uncut emerald weighing 1,383.93 carats. Empress Josephine Bonaparte played a vital role in popularizing emeralds during the Napoleonic era. In more recent times, legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor possessed a remarkable collection of diamond and emerald jewelry valued at around $23 million.
The "Mogul Mughal Emerald", largest carved emerald.
Rough emerald crystals from Panjshir Valley Afghanistan
"Chalk Emerald" Ring, on display at NMNH, Washington D.C.
Emerald May Birthstone's History
The word “emerald” comes from the greek term smaragdos, meaning literally green gem. Roman author Pliny the Elder, who died in the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, wrote in his encyclopedic Natural History that “nothing greens greener.”
From Egyptian pharaohs to Inca emperors, emerald has enchanted royalty. Emerald gemstones were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old. Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emerald gemstones. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.
On the other side of the world, the Muzo Indians of Colombia had well-hidden and prized emerald mines. These mines were so hidden, it took the Spanish conquistadors nearly twenty years to find them.
Today, Columbia has been for the last 500 years and still is the largest supplier of Emeralds, responsible for more than 60 percent of world production. Emeralds are also sourced from Brazil, Afghanistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe, while historically Emeralds were also mined in Egypt and India.
Large "Mim Emerald", 1,390 carats uncut, dihexagonal, on display at the Mim Museum, Beirut, Lebanon
The Green-blue "Gachalá Emerald", 858 carats uncut, on display at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC
Emerald's Properties
The emerald stone has a hardness of 7.5 to 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. For reference, a diamond has a hardness of 10 while chalk has a hardness of 3. The emerald stone is durable and scratch-resistant. This member of the beryl family ranks among the traditional “big four” gems along with diamonds, rubies and sapphires.
The process of emerald formation begins with the interaction of hot, mineral-rich fluids with the host rock. These fluids are usually created by the metamorphic processes that occur when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures. During this process, the fluids penetrate the host rock, dissolving the minerals within it and carrying them away. As the fluids cool, they deposit the dissolved minerals in cracks and fissures in the rock, forming veins of emerald that usually form in gorgeous hexagonal ‘pencils’ within the host rock.
Emeralds are most commonly associated with a rich, deep green colour, but the gemstone actually occurs in a range of hues and tones. The colour of an emerald depends on the amount and type of impurities present in the crystal structure of the beryl mineral. Chromium, vanadium and iron are the trace elements responsible for the various emerald hues.
How valuable is Emerald?
Colour is the chief determinant of value when talking about emeralds. It is evaluated by three components: hue, tone and saturation. Hue describes the type of green the emerald has, for example, bluish-green, yellowish-green, etc. Tonal grade refers to the level of lightness or darkness of the green, while saturation refers to the intensity of the colour.
The most desirable colours for emeralds are bluish green to pure green with no visible colour variations throughout the stone, vivid saturation and medium to dark tone. If the gemstone is not dark and saturated enough, it is not considered a true emerald. In such a case, it is considered to be green beryl.
Unlike other gemstones, however, emeralds are notorious for having more inclusions and fractures, which are often called “jardin” (French for “garden”) due to their plant-like appearance. These inclusions are caused by the natural processes that form emeralds, as they often grow in the presence of other minerals and under high pressure and temperature. As a result, it is very rare to find a completely flawless emerald. For examply, the famous Rockefeller Emerald is the largest flawless emerald and is valued at USD 5.5-million.
Colombian emeralds different sizes, faceted in emerald cut
The Emerald evokes fertility and the lush green of nature
May Birthstone Mythology, Symbolism and Meaning
Emeralds hold rich cultural meanings and symbolism across different civilizations. In ancient Greek and Roman cultures both associated the gem with their goddess of love, beauty, and procreation who was called Aphrodite or Venus. In Hindu culture, emeralds were also associated with love, beauty, and harmonious relationships. This gmeaning was also given by the ancient Egyptians and Celts alike, for which the emerald represented growth and renewal, symbolizing fertility, rebirth, and the natural world’s lushness.
Emeralds were revered for wisdom and insight in ancient Roman and Hindu traditions, enhancing mental clarity and intellectual abilities. And in Mayan and Chinese cultures, emeralds were valued for their healing properties, promoting balance and well-being.
The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewelry and in their elaborate burials, often burying emerald stones with monarchs as symbols of protection.
Pliny the Elder also stated in his encyclopedic Natural History that the May birthstone had therapeutic properties that helped gem cutters: “(they) have no better method of restoring their eyes than by looking at the emerald, its soft, green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude.” Science now proves this belief: The color green relieves stress and eye strain.
The green birthstone was also thought to have magical powers. By placing it under the tongue, one could see into the future. Some believed it made one an eloquent speaker and exposed lovers who made false promises.
The May Birthstone is generally associated with the heart chakra and is thought to have a healing effect on the physical as well as the emotional heart. Emeralds can also bring loyalty and enhance unconditional love, unity and promote friendship. Keep your Emerald birthstone close to bolster balance in your partnerships.
Buying & Gifting May Birthstone Jewellery
Emeralds are renowned around the world for their beauty and are said to be a powerful stone for manifestation and patience. Those born in the month of May wear emerald birthstone rings, necklaces, and broaches to feel an affinity with the positive properties of this stone. So, birthstone jewellery can be a an ideal birthday gift for them.
May Birthstone Necklace – Genuine Emerald Gemstone Charm in Sterling Silver
May Birthstone Ring – Emerald Gemstone in Sterling Silver
May Birthstone Jewellery Set in Emerald Gemstone – Studs and Pendant Necklace
The May birthstone is perfectly suited to the celebration of life blooming everywhere. Given the rich green hues of emerald, it was inevitable that we would fall under its spell. Now you can treat yourself – or a loved one – to an emerald that captures the exuberance of the season.
