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Emeralds - May's Birthstone

Emerald is the birthstone for May as well as the gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus and Gemini.

The birthstone of May is the Emerald. Emeralds (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) are part of the Beryl family and it’s colour is due to impurities such as chromium and sometimes vanadium. The colour varies from deep bluish green to light green.

The popular cut for Emeralds is the step cut, also called ‘Emerald cut’, which is comprised of larger facets which act like mirrors and resemble a staircase. This cut will give the stone deeper colour and reduces wastage during the faceting process.

Colombian Emeralds are the finest and most valuable. Another factor that decides price is the number of inclusions. An emerald with fewer inclusions will have a deeper colour and higher transparency and thus will be more expensive than stones with more inclusions which will look lighter green and be more brittle. In cheaper Emeralds, the stone casing is crucial since the stone can break easily.

Emeralds stand for the planet Mercury in the set of Navarathna gems which also include the Diamond, Pearl, Red Coral, Hessonite, Blue Sapphire, Cats Eye, Ruby and Yellow Sapphire. Each gem represents a different planet. Emeralds are thought to activate the “chakra” (a vital energy point in the human body) of the heart. This stone is thought to have positive energies which is probably why it has been so popular over thousands of years.

A famous Emerald lover was Cleopatra. Legends gave the Emerald the power to make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted. Not only are Emeralds for the month of May, or for Cleopatra, but also for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. So this would be the perfect wedding anniversary gift for your parents!