While green may not be everyone’s favourite colour, you can’t deny the alluring hue of the Emerald.

They are truly in a class of their own, and this month’s birthstone.  It has consistently surpassed other green gems like Peridot and Tourmaline to become one of the most sought-after gemstones on the market with its lush blueish-green tones.

Made from Beryl, just like Aquamarine, Emerald gets its green colouring from trace amounts of chromium and or/vanadium.  A 1 carat Emerald appears larger than a Diamond of the same carat because of its lower density.  The Emerald is not only beautiful but also durable, although they can be susceptible to chipping and cracking.

The oldest Emeralds are about 2.97 billion years old, the first having been mined in Egypt around 1500BC.  Cleopatra was well documented as being hugely passionate about the stone, as was the late Elizabeth Taylor.  Elizabeth treasured an Emerald set from her husband Richard Burton which included a necklace, brooch, ring, bracelet and drop earrings, said to be worth almost $100 million.  The Duke of Devonshire Emerald is one of the largest uncut emeralds weighing 1,383.93 carats!

I, myself am a huge fan of green and Emeralds, maybe because my eyes have a hint of green in them.  What I love about gemstones is not only their different properties but the symbolism and lore that is carried with them throughout history.  According to ancient folklore, putting an Emerald under your tongue would help you see into the future.  They were also said to guard against memory loss and enhance intuition.  Today, Emeralds are still thought to relax and relieve eye strain, which isn’t too difficult to believe because the gorgeous green tones certainly make me feel calm.

If you would like to buy a gift for a loved one who was born in May please contact us and one of our specialists will be in touch.