HomeThe emerald is the traditional birthstone for the month of May. Appropriately so as green is the color of springtime and nature. This beautiful gemstone is also considered the cultural gift for the 20th, 35th, and 55th wedding anniversary, and is the North Carolina state stone.
Emeralds have been the romantic subject of stories and lore for generations. The Wizard of Oz ruled the Emerald City. Ancient Indian Maharajas and Maharanis collected them to adorn their bodies and palaces. Cleopatra had her own personal emerald mines. And Ireland is known as The Emerald Isle. History is full of legends and anecdotes that have been told.
Gemstone Jewelry
Emeralds are mined in many parts of the world but some of the finest and most prized come from Columbia. Colombian emeralds have a deep green color without any blue tint. Typically the deepest green gems are the most coveted. And on occasion a rare Trapiche stone, with six rays radiating from the center, is found. The rays are actually inclusions that have formed a hexagonal shape.
Emeralds are famous for having inclusions and flawless stones are very rare. Many people actually prefer the natural beauty of flawed emeralds for their unique appearance and authenticity. Emeralds are a form of the mineral beryl which is durable and rare making it a favorite to use in jewelry. Like a diamond, an emerald is also graded using four C's. In this case the last C refers to crystal instead of carat.
Color is the most important of the criteria, and crystal runs a close second. Pure green gemstones with high transparency is important. The most common cut used is an "Emerald Cut", which is a long rectangular shape with large flat surfaces. They are also cut into cabochons and used as beads. Typically the flaws in an emerald are visible with the naked eye, and if a jewelers loupe is needed, the stone is considered clear.
There are many synthetic stones that are sold incorrectly as natural emeralds so make sure to deal with a reputable and knowledgeable seller when purchasing.
Emerald Jewelry - Beloved May Birthstone and Radiant Green Gemstone
For more emerald information visit Emerald Birthstones, where I've showcased some of my favorite emerald jewelry; and my vintage charm bracelet blog Charm Chatter to read more about new and vintage jewelry
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