Emerald: The Birthstone for May

With its sparkling green tones, reminiscent of spring, the Emerald makes the perfect birthstone for May. The gemstone itself is a symbol of youth, growth and rejuvenation, and it is believed to bring its owner love and good fortune.

The Emerald derives its name from the Greek word smaragdos, meaning ‘green stone’. They were famously worn by Cleopatra, but even two thousand years before Cleopatra’s birth, the Ancient Egyptians mined Emeralds in the Eastern desert, where the dangers of extreme heat and scorpions did not deter them from seeking out the precious stones. At this time, Emeralds were engraved with the symbol for foliage, representing eternal youth, and were often buried with the dead.

The ancient Romans also held Emeralds in high esteem, associating them with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. They believed the stone had healing properties to cure a variety of health issues, including weak eyesight.

Emeralds can also be traced back to the Incas of Peru, who were thought to have owned an Emerald the size of an ostrich egg, which they believe was inhabited by Goddess Esmeralda.
Nowadays, the majority of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia and Afghanistan. Their value is determined by both colour and clarity: the most valuable Emeralds are of a vivid, deep green with a touch of blue, and few inclusions.

If you are thinking of treating someone to an Emerald for their May birthday, here are a few tips for buying Emerald jewellery:

• The most common cut for an Emerald is rectangular with angled shaped corners (this aptly named the emerald cut), with oval-cut and square-cut being the next common.
• If you are specifically seeking a clear, glassy stone with few inclusions, you are better off choosing a synthetic Emerald, which is made with the same chemical composition as in nature. However, if you are looking for a more authentic looking stone with a richer colour and more inclusions, but full of character, consider a real Emerald instead.
• Buying pre-owned Emeralds will nearly always guarantee better value for your money, and you will also be saving money by visiting an independent jeweller rather than a recognised brand name.
• If you see an Emerald that you love, but are not so keen on the design of the jewellery, why not have the piece re-created into something more to your taste? Here at Cuttings we offer a design and make service, which allows you to create a truly unique gift. 

We hope this has given you some insight into May’s birthstone. If you are looking for quality, unique Emerald jewellery, we are here to help! Just give us a call or visit us in one of our shops.