FINE GEMSTONE JEWELRY Emerald: May Birth Stone
EMERALD is a valuable gemstone that symbolizes Love and Success.
It is May birth stone and the anniversary gemstone for the twentieth year of marriage. Having a hardness of 7.5 - 8, this green variety of Beryl derives it’s name from the Greek word “smaragdus” meaning green.
These May birth stones have been prized since the beginning of recorded time and its legacy is as eternal as the stone itself.
The first emerald mines were opened in Egypt although the exact dates are not known.
Mummies in ancient Egypt were often buried with an emerald on their necks carved with the symbol for foliage, to symbolize eternal youth.
It was recorded that Nero would watch the gladiator games through flat emerald crystals.
Pliny, the Roman scholar, was the first to suggest emerald was a family member of beryl. It was not until the early 19th century that science proved him right.
The Romans dedicated the emerald to their goddess of love and beauty, Venus.
It is said that Cleopatra was always adorned in Emeralds and had amassed an astounding collection of this amazing gem, her most treasured jewelry.
More Emerald Information:
The Lore:
The emerald gemstone was known in ancient times, not only for its beauty but also for its alleged power of healing diseases and its magical qualities.
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Emerald Quality:
The finest quality loose emerald and emerald jewelry has the color of fresh young green grass, an almost pure spectral green, possibly with a very faint tint of blue, as in the "drop of oil" emerald from Colombia.
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Treatment:
Well over 90% of natural emeralds in commerce have been oil-treated to minimize the appearance of the inclusions and to reduce the likelihood of fracture.
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Varieties
Colombian Emerald - Emerald stone from Colombia. This emerald is usually of exceptional quality.
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False Names:
Emeralds have been synthetically produced since 1848. However, only recently have synthetic emeralds been available on the market.
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Similar Gemstones:
Green sapphire may resemble emerald, but its high hardness distinguishes it.
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Emerald Care:
Avoid extreme temperature changes and high heat. DO NOT USE ANY ULTRASONIC CLEANERS OR STEAMERS.
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