Emerald, the birthstone of May, carries the rich green color of Spring and radiates a beautiful vivid tone. They are considered to be a symbol of loyalty and love and they were thought to evoke prosperity and wealth, so that at one time only nobility was allowed to wear this stone. Emeralds are the rarest gemstones and are typically mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia.

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.

Due to their color, this stones where thought to soothe the eyes and the soul as well as increasing prophetic abilities, curing diseases and protect against evil spirits. The stone received its name from smaragdus the Greek word for green.

Emeralds were widely used by the Incas in South America in their religious ceremonies 500 years prior to the Spanish explorations in the 1600’s.