Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May.

Emerald is one of the most highly-prized of all the gems – with the emerald as green as grass after a spring rain the most prized of all. Emeralds are often characterized by a garden of inclusions trapped deep within the stone, known as the "jardin" or”garden”, because it creates lovely patterns resembling foliage in a garden when magnified.

It is easily understood why ancient cultures prized the rich green emerald, over other types of emeralds, as symbolizing love and rebirth. Emerald mines near the Red Sea were exhausted long ago as many Pharaohs were buried with emeralds around their neck as a symbol of eternal youth. Cleopatra is known to have prized emeralds above all other gems.

Treasured the world over for thousands of years, the emerald has been commonly associated with the eyes. Roman officer and writer Pliny claimed that emerald was the only gem which delighted the eye without exhausting it. Roman Emperor Nero was known to wear emerald sunglasses to watch the gladiators.

Many ancient cultures believed emeralds sharpened the wearer’s eyesight and mind. Early engravers kept emeralds on their work tables to stare into them from time to time to rest their tired eyes. Scientists now say the human eye is most sensitive to the color green which may explain the comfort one feels when gazing upon the emerald.

Emerald jewelry was worn as amulets to ward off epilepsy in children and to protect travelers from the hazards and perils of a long journey. Folklore suggests that these green stones can improve memory, fertility, intelligence and to enhance love and contentment. The emerald was also said to give its wearer the ability to predict the future.

Green is a soothing color for most people and emeralds have always been a prized and favorite gemstone. Lucky are those to be born in May – there is no better way to celebrate birth than with the fresh spring green of an emerald.