Emerald, May’s birthstone, is prized for its rich green color and timeless appeal. Symbolizing renewal, growth, and love, this gemstone has been cherished for centuries. Celebrate May with the brilliance and significance of emerald—a gemstone as lively and enduring as the season itself.
Emeralds rank 7.5–8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. The first known emerald mines were in Egypt and are believed to have been worked as early as 3500 BC. Emeralds are part of the beryl family, and notably, Cleopatra was known for her passion for them.
An emerald’s color is its most desirable feature, ranging from bluish green to pure green with vivid saturation. Clarity is characterized by inclusions, which are expected to be visible when examining these stones. Dealers often refer to these internal features as a “jardin,” meaning “garden.”
Due to their crystal shape, emeralds are commonly cut in step cuts known as emerald cuts. In terms of carat weight, emeralds tend to appear larger than diamonds of the same weight; a one-carat emerald will typically look bigger than a one-carat diamond.
