May Birthstone Spotlight: Emerald

Welcome to the first post in a new series called Birthstone Spotlights! In these monthly posts, we’ll cover what the birthstone of the month is, the birthstone’s history, and some fun facts. 

First up - emerald! Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. 

What is an Emerald? 

Emeralds are a type of beryl, which is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. Aquamarine, the birthstone for March, is also in this category. Emeralds are green, although some are more bluish-green. 

Not just any green beryl can be an emerald. Beryl that is light green is usually classified as “green beryl” rather than an emerald and is sold for less. However, gem experts disagree on the degree of green that is required for a stone to be an emerald vs. a green beryl.

The History of Emeralds

Emeralds have been highly prized since ancient times. The first known emeralds to be mined were found in Egypt in 330 BC. Cleopatra had a well-known love for emeralds.

Emeralds have also played a part in the history of other cultures. When Spanish explorers invaded the New World in the 1500s, emeralds were part of their plunder. The indigenous people, the Incas, had been using emeralds in their jewelry for 500 years. In addition to jewelry, emeralds also played a part in the Incas’ religious ceremonies. The Spanish explorers, however, did not treasure the emerald nearly as much as they treasured precious metals, so they traded them to other countries, which sparked a love for emeralds in members of European and Asian royalty.

Most emeralds today are mined in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia, although they are found throughout the world. 

Quality Factors

Emeralds have the same quality factors as diamonds: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. 

Color: The most desired emeralds have the deepest saturation of color. The more vibrant, the better. Bright, transparent emeralds that have an even color distribution are the most highly-prized (as far as color is concerned).

Clarity: Emeralds commonly have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Emeralds without visible inclusions are rare and, consequently, very valuable. 

Cut: Emeralds are among the most difficult stones to cut. They are brittle and most have significant fractures that make them vulnerable to damage. In addition to the risks of damage, cutters must consider how they can maximize the stone’s hue, tone, and saturation. For example, if the proportions aren’t cut just right, the emerald may appear lighter. Many emeralds are cut into rectangular step cuts called “emerald shapes.”

Carat Weight: Like most gemstones, emeralds come in a variety of carat weights from fractions of a carat to hundreds of carats. An emerald is less dense than a diamond, so a 1-carat emerald will appear larger than a 1-carat diamond. The larger an emerald is (assuming the quality is the same), the more expensive it will be. 

How to Care For Emerald Jewelry

To clean your emerald jewelry at home, it’s best to use warm, soapy water. You can gently scrub the emeralds with a soft brush. Be careful about what you expose your emerald jewelry to because it can be damaged by heat and chemicals. But rest assured, with some proper care, your emerald jewelry can last for generations.

Interesting Facts About Emeralds

• Emerald is the birthstone for May, as well as the gemstone of 20th and 35th anniversaries.
• Emeralds are a 7.5 to 8 on Mohs Hardness Scale.
• Legends say that God gave Solomon four precious stones, one of which was believed to be emerald. 
• The emerald was once believed to give the wearer the ability to see the future, reveal truth, and protect against evil spells. It was also thought to help wearers speak more eloquently.
• Some also believed that emeralds could cure diseases such as cholera and malaria.

In 2011, Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald pendant sold for $6,578,500, which was a per-carat record of $280,000.