The Elegant Emerald – May’s Vivid Birthstone
When you think of the month of May, what do you think of? May is towards the end of spring, where the sun is shining bright, the flowers are still blooming, and the earth is as colorful as can be. It’s only appropriate that the birthstone to represent this month be just that - radiant and full of life.
An Icon Of Spring Elegance
The emerald birthstone is a popular gift choice for various reasons, including its value, hardness and eye-catching hue. As one of the four recognized precious gemstones - along with ruby, sapphire and diamond - emerald is one of the most desired gemstone colors. Just like diamonds, the four Cs are also used to determine an emerald’s value, and in this case, the most important is usually color. In the spectrum of emerald hues, the most desirable amongst them are those that are bluish green to pure green. Even further, the most sought-after emeralds are highly transparent. Where does this luxurious color come from you ask? Well, emerald is made from beryl and the rich green color we recognize so easily comes from trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium.
With Age Comes Beauty
The emerald gemstone has been around longer than we have. The oldest emeralds are about 2.9 billion years old, and the first known emeralds were mined in Egypt. The emerald birthstone is believed to be the first gemstone traded in markets in Babylon around 4000 BC, giving this rich gemstone and even richer history. In ancient Egypt, where it began to flourish, the emerald was considered a symbol of eternal life. It was favored by Queen Cleopatra and continues to this day to be a favorite gemstone amongst royals, decorating their crowns and other royal jewels. The emerald name originally came from the Greek word “smaragdos,” which means green stone.
A Symbol Of Hope And Renewal
Interestingly enough, emerald is the only stone with a cut named after it. With so many amazing qualities, it’s no wonder the emerald gemstone represents so many powerful attributes. A strong representation of hope and love, the emerald birthstone embodies renewal, growth, unity and compassion. For many years, it was believed to give insight into future events and reveal truths. Ancient folklore went as far as to believe that putting an emerald under your tongue would help you see into the future. Emerald gemstones are also said to enhance brainpower, memory, communication skills and speech, making it an excellent gemstone for students or for the workplace.
Always A Beautiful Choice
From the red carpet to business casual and everything in-between, the emerald gemstone is a sight to behold. This luscious stone is a favorite amongst celebrities and fashion influencers and adds an air of elegance and beauty to any look. Explore emerald in gorgeous necklaces, rings, earrings and more for a beautiful way to wear stunning style with strong history and deep meaning.