Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine. Emerald’s lush green has soothed souls and excited imaginations since antiquity. Its name comes from the ancient Greek word for green, “smaragdus.”

The gemstone has many special qualities, but colored stone professionals generally agree that emeralds are, most of all, about color. Emerald has been the standard for green among colored stones for thousands of years.

Emerald appearance is sometimes associated with its mine location. Colombian emeralds are said to have a warmer and more intense pure green color. Zambian emeralds are said to have a cooler, more bluish green color. In spite of these theories, the truth is that emerald appearance overlaps between sources. Emeralds typically contain inclusions that are visible to the unaided eye. Because of this, trade members and some consumers understand and accept the presence of inclusions in emeralds. Eye-clean emeralds are especially valuable because they’re so rare. Emerald inclusions are often described as looking mossy or garden-like. They’re sometimes called “jardin,” which is French for garden.

Emerald scores an 8 on Mohs Hardness Scale.

This unique gemstone is the birthstone of May and is considered to be a symbol of rebirth and love. It symbolizes hope, growth, renewal and the search for meaning.

Emeralds are the rarest gemstones and are typically mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. The first known Emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 BC into the 1700's. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. Legends endowed the wearer with the ability to foresee the future when emerald was placed under the tongue, as well as to reveal truth and be protected against evil spells. Emerald was once also believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria. Wearing an emerald was believed to reveal the truth or falseness of a lover’s oath as well as make one an eloquent speaker. Legend also states that emerald was one of the four precious stones given by God to King Solomon. These four stones were said to have endowed the king with power over all creation.