Birthstone: Emerald is the birthstone for May, along with being the stone for the zodiac sign Gemini.
Meaning: Emerald has been known as the symbol of truth and love as well as a source of eternal life.
What is Emerald?
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, coloured green by trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium. Some Emeralds have material trapped inside during the gem’s formation, so their toughness is classified as generally poor, however beryl has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale.
Where does Emerald come from?
Emeralds are typically found in Colombia, Madagascar, Canada, and Brazil along with other countries. Emeralds can be found naturally in a variety of rock that includes shale and limestone. Colombia is seen as the largest producer of emeralds in the world followed by Zambia.
What is the meaning of Emerald?
Emerald is a life-affirming stone. It is believed to open the heart and calm emotions. It provides balance, inspiration, wisdom, and patience. It is said to promote friendship, peace, and harmony. It enables the wearer to both give and receive unconditional love. In ancient Greece and Rome, emerald was said to be the gemstone of the goddess Venus, purveyor of love and hope. On the other side of the world, emeralds were revered by the Incas and believed by the Egyptians to be a source of eternal life.
How to care for Emerald?
Emeralds are very durable, which means they resist scratching although they are not as hard as other gems, so it is best to keep them stores separately to other gemstones. 90% of emeralds on the market are enhanced with either oil or resin, making it risky to clean, ultrasonic or steam cleaners are not subtitle as they can cause the oil or epoxy in the filled fractures to dissolve and could fracture the stone. The best way to clean emerald is with warm soapy water and a cloth, without soaking the emerald and avoiding harsh detergents that might dilute the stone. It is also best not to expose your emerald to hot lights or other sources of heat as they may dry out the fracture fillings.
Shop our new Emerald Pieces now!
