Emerald: May's Birthstone

The color of springtime, green emerald is the birthstone for the month of May.  The name emerald is derived from the Greek word smaragdus meaning "green stone".  Emerald is a member of the gemstone group beryl which also contains aquamarine and other variations of beryl.  The green color of emerald is caused by the presence of chromium in the chemical composition of this particular form of beryl.  Today, most emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia.

 Most emeralds have inclusions or imperfections.  It is extremely rare to find a natural emerald without flaws.  These inclusions are like a fingerprint or birthmark and give each emerald a distinct personality.  The imperfections are called jarden from the French word for garden.  Since early times, emeralds have been enhanced to improve their color and eliminate visible imperfections.  Green-tinted oil is used to fill any fissures at the surface and make them almost invisible to the naked eye.

The color of nature, emerald has traditionally been said to promote a calm and peaceful spirit.  The ancients prized it as a symbol of love, rebirth and eternal youth.  It has also been associated with magic, mystery and the ability to foretell future events.