A little about Emeralds, The Birthstone of MAY
The Emerald has always been among some of the most treasured gemstones. This majestic and deeply hued stone enchants royalty like none other. On the Mohs scale of hardness, emerald stands at a 7.5 to 8 and is, therefore, a little softer and more susceptible to scratching than a diamond, which ranks 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
The word “emerald” comes from the ancient Greek word smaragdos which means “green gem”. Emerald is evergreen, literally. It is immensely appreciated and worn today while it was once the most preferred gemstone of Indian royalties. Cleopatra, Egypt’s female Pharaoh, admired this richly hued gem and was known to have a great passion for it, so much so that she would get emeralds heavily used in her royal adornments. Not just that, Emeralds continue to ooze people around the world, from royal regalias to red carpets.
…No colour is more delightful in appearance. For although we enjoy looking at plants and leaves, we regard Emeralds with all the more pleasure because compared with them there is nothing that is more intensely green. – Pliny The Elder –
Where do they come from?
The finest emeralds have been and are still being sourced from Colombia. Colombia has been the largest source of fine emeralds for more than 500 years. The quality of Colombian emeralds is so superior that they act as benchmarks by which the quality of emeralds coming from all other sources are measured. Three major mining sites in Colombia that are the majority suppliers of these quality emeralds are Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez. Each mine produces a range of colours but, mostly darker tones of pure green emeralds come from Muzo, lighter ones in tone come from Chivor and the yellowish green emeralds come from Coscuez.
Healing & Metaphysical Properties
For ages, emeralds have been valued for their unique properties. Emeralds were said to have the that would allow the wearer to be able to see the future. It was believed that it protected one from evil spells. Not just that, it was and is believed that when placed under the tongue, Emeralds were known to be truth revealing stones and wearing them could make one an eloquent speaker. Before modern medicine came into existence and practice, it was believed that emeralds had medical properties and were used to cure diseases like cholera and malaria.
Green is the colour that is associated with hope. This dreamy green stone is said to have an alignment with our heart chakra. It is believed to have healing effects on people both on the physical front as well as the emotional front or in other words the matters of the heart. Be it love or other significant relationship, Emeralds are known to protect them while bringing loyalty, unconditional love, unity and promoting the relationship.
To sum it all up, the Emerald also known as “the birthstone of May” is known to be perfect for one to bring emotional balance and embrace the blooming of life everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the historical meaning behind the word emerald?
The word “emerald” has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word “smaragdos”, which translates directly to “green gem”. This name perfectly reflects the stone’s famous, rich green colouring, which has captivated people for thousands of years.
Throughout history, this evergreen gemstone has been highly prized by royalty and historical figures alike. For instance, Cleopatra, the famous female Pharaoh of Egypt, had a well-documented passion for the gemstone and regularly incorporated emeralds into her royal adornments. Similarly, it was once the most preferred gemstone among Indian royalty, and it remains a popular choice today, appearing on everything from royal regalia to modern red carpets.
How durable are emeralds compared to other gemstones?
Emeralds have a rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This rating means they are relatively durable, but they are still softer and more susceptible to scratching than some other popular precious stones, such as diamonds, which rank at a maximum of 10 on the Mohs scale.
Because of this slight softness, emeralds require a bit more care during wear and storage to prevent abrasions. While they are sturdy enough to be set into various types of fine jewellery, including rings and earrings, owners should remain mindful of their vulnerability to scratches when wearing them alongside harder materials or during vigorous activities.
Where are the highest quality emeralds sourced from?
The finest emeralds in the world are sourced from Colombia, which has been the leading global provider of high-quality emeralds for more than 500 years. Colombian emeralds are considered the gold standard, with their quality serving as the benchmark against which emeralds from all other global sources are evaluated.
Within Colombia, there are three major mining sites responsible for supplying these superior gemstones: Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez. While each of these mines produces a variety of colours, they are known for specific tones. Muzo is famous for producing mostly darker tones of pure green, Chivor is known for producing lighter tones, and Coscuez is the primary source for emeralds with a yellowish-green hue.
What metaphysical properties were traditionally associated with emeralds?
Historically, emeralds were believed to possess powerful metaphysical properties, including the extraordinary ability to grant their wearer the power to see into the future. They were also worn as protective amulets, believed to shield the wearer from evil spells and negative energies.
Furthermore, ancient beliefs held that placing an emerald under one’s tongue would reveal the truth and grant the individual the gift of eloquent speech. In the era before modern medicine, these green gemstones were even trusted to have curative physical properties, with people using them in attempts to treat serious illnesses such as cholera and malaria.
How do emeralds influence relationships and emotional balance?
Emeralds are deeply connected to the heart chakra, representing hope and the blooming of life. This alignment means the stones are believed to exert healing effects on both a physical and emotional level, particularly concerning matters of the heart, relationships, and emotional balance.
In personal relationships and love, emeralds are said to act as protective stones. They are believed to bring loyalty, unconditional love, and unity to couples, while actively promoting and strengthening the relationship over time. Ultimately, as the traditional birthstone for the month of May, the emerald is considered the perfect gemstone for individuals seeking to restore emotional equilibrium and embrace growth.
