May Birthstone

May birthdays fall right in the heart of spring, and the emerald is the perfect gem to symbolize and celebrate this month. Prized for its brilliant and beautiful green color, the emerald is often favored by the rich and famous to wear as statement pieces for big events.

But this beautiful gem is just at home in an unassuming pendant as it is in an ornate tiara.

As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald, derived from the word “smaragdus,” means, quite literally, “green” in Greek.

Like aquamarine, emerald is a variety of beryl, a mineral that grows with six sides and up to a foot in length. Emerald color can range from light green (though there is some argument whether these very light beryls are truly emeralds) to a deep, rich green. Emeralds are also like aquamarine in that the way the color is presents itself in jewelry depends on a good cut by a skilled gemologist.

Most emeralds end up being heat treated to deepen or enhance the color. The deeper or more green an emerald, the more valuable it is. The rarest emeralds will appear to be an intense green-blue.

Emeralds are found all over the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. The availability of high-quality emerald is limited; consequently, treatments to improve clarity are performed regularly.

• January
  Garnet
• February
  Amethyst
• March
  Aquamarine
• April
  Diamond
• May
  Emerald
• June
  Pearl
  Alexandrite
• July
  Ruby
• August
  Peridot
  Sardonyx
  Spinel
• September
  Sapphire
• October
  Tourmaline
  Opal
• November
  Topaz
  Citrine
• December
  Tanzanite
  Zircon
  Turquoise