Gemstone of the Month: Emerald

Emerald, the birthstone of May, is arguably the most desirable gemstone in the world. At highest qualities, emeralds are more valuable even than diamonds. The word emerald is said to come from a Sanskrit word meaning “green,” and it is undoubtedly the rich green hue that has made it such a favorite throughout the ages. Considered sacred to the Aztecs, Incas and Egyptians, emerald was also the special stone of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Perhaps this is why emerald has traditionally been given by lovers to ensure faithfulness and long lasting affection. It is said to cool an angry heart and to promote harmony in relationships. Emerald is considered a powerful healing stone, and brings calmness of heart and mind to its wearer. Thankfully, it also enhances prosperity, so we can afford to buy it!

Emerald is a member of the beryl family, and is a close cousin to aquamarine and morganite. It has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, but is known to be quite brittle. This is because emerald often contains a high number of inclusions (small cracks, air bubbles or other mineral crystals inside the stone.) Jewelers have nicknamed these inclusions “jardin,” which comes from the french word for garden. Not only is emerald wildly popular, but it’s also the birthstone for those born in May.

Bead World carries a variety of emerald in our gem case. The most desirable gemstone in the world awaits you!