The Emerald: May Birthstone
History, legend and gemstone lore
The Emerald
has been valued and revered for
more than 5000 years. They were
worshipped by the Aztecs and Incas,
mined by the Ancient Egyptians
and valued in India for their
healing powers. They have long
been treasured by royalty and
are still found in royal jewelry
and national collections. Large
specimens are often found in museums.
The name is derived from the Greek
word for "green gemstone".
Source, Composition
and Jewelry Variety
Emeralds are
green form of the mineral beryl.
Some of the most rare and highly
prized emeralds are a deep green
with minor inclusions. Unlike
many gemstones, inclusions do
not generally diminish the value
of an emerald. On the contrary,
the "garden" as it is
called, is considered a sign of
the natural history of the gemstone.
A deep dark green emerald with
fine inclusions is considered
more valuable than a pale emerald
with no inclusions. Emeralds are
mined primarily in Columbia, but
fine specimens are also found
in Brazil, Africa, Pakistan and
Russia. Emeralds are often treated
with oils or fillers to seal natural
cracks and fissures. Emerald jewelry
should be gently cared for because
of this. Due to their value, there
are many synthesized and imitation
emeralds on the market. Buyers
should take care to purchase from
trustworthy expert jewelers and
have larger jewelry specimens
independently examined.
Buying Emerald
Jewelry
Most jewelers
will carry a selection of emerald
birthstone jewelry, but large
and high quality specimens can
often be harder to fine and quite
expensive. You can find a wide
selection of Emerald jewelry and
other gemstone jewelry from reputable
jewelers and online jewelry stores.
Be sure to Compare Jewelry
Stores
For rare varieties
and unique gemstone jewelry it
may be best to find a specialty
custom jeweler who can source
fine gems and customize your jewelry. We
can help. You may also wish to try buying emerald birthstone jewelry (Sponsor Link) from a reputable online store which carries a variety of birthstone and gemstone jewelry.
