Emerald is the birthstone of May. It is said to symbolize rebirth and love, promoting wisdom, growth, and patience. Some believe it also brings prosperity, good health, and emotional well-being to its wearer.

Emerald is a gemstone with a storied history that has fascinated various cultures and eras.

Emerald derives its name from the Greek word “smaragdus,” meaning green. This name perfectly captures its most renowned and captivating color. However, the stone can range in hue from a light, leafy green to a deep, verdant shade.

The finest emeralds exhibit a lush, intense green with excellent transparency. These are primarily found in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil, where the most exquisite specimens are mined.

Remarkably, emeralds are often included with natural imperfections known as “jardin,” or garden, which many enthusiasts see as a testament to the gem’s natural origin and character.

With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, emeralds are durable enough for everyday wear but do require careful handling due to their inclusions and occasional brittleness.

Emeralds have been cherished for millennia, adorning royalty and being prized by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, who associated the gem with fertility and eternal youth. Cleopatra herself was famously fond of emeralds.

Want to know more about emeralds? GIA is our trusted source for gemstone information.