May Birthstone: Emerald

Emerald: May's Majestic Birthstone, A Gem Through Millennia

The captivating allure of May's birthstone, the exquisite emerald, boasts a rich history stretching back thousands of years, with historical mentions dating as far as 4000 BCE. The earliest records indicate that emerald was a prized commodity traded in Babylonian marketplaces. Remarkably, emerald is even mentioned in the Papyrus Prisse, the world's oldest known book, a staggering 4500 years old.

The very name "emerald" is believed to have originated from the Latin word "smaragdus," simply translating to "green gem." The first known emerald mines were located in Egypt around 330 BCE. For a significant period, Egypt held the distinction of being the world's sole supplier of these verdant treasures. The legendary Egyptian Queen Cleopatra was famously enamored with emeralds, so much so that she claimed ownership of all the emerald mines in Egypt during her reign, forever immortalizing them as Cleopatra's Mines. After the decline of Egyptian mining and the subsequent discovery of emeralds in South America during the Spanish conquests, these ancient mines were thought lost, only to be rediscovered in 1817.

When Spanish conquistadors encountered Incan societies in the sixteenth century, they were astonished to find these cultures possessing valuable emeralds. This discovery further amplified the gem's popularity among royal and elite circles in Europe. Even in our modern era, the emerald remains one of the most precious and rare gemstones.

Myths and Lore Woven in Green:

Over the centuries, a rich tapestry of beliefs and myths has been woven around emeralds. In the second century BCE, Damigeron, a Roman magician, declared that the emerald "influences every kind of business, and if you remain chaste while you wear it, it adds substance to both the body and the speech." The mineral is also prominently featured in Pliny the Elder's Natural History, where he famously stated that "..nothing greens greener" than the emerald.

The color green itself has long been considered therapeutic, known for its ability to relieve stress and eye strain. Numerous historical accounts reference the use of emeralds to soothe fatigued eyes. It was even written that Nero, the Roman emperor, used flat lenses carved from emerald crystal to watch gladiator games, essentially using them as eyeglasses. Other stories recount that gem cutters would keep emeralds nearby in their workspaces, gazing upon them for relief after hours of intense focus on other gems.

Further lore associated with emeralds includes their believed power in preventing epilepsy, as a talisman of truth and chastity, and in expressing love and devotion. The renowned philosopher Aristotle was a great admirer of emeralds, believing that owning one would bestow eloquence in speaking upon its owner and that it could be worn as a pendant or ring to prevent "falling sickness," an archaic term for epilepsy, in children.

In ancient Egypt, the emerald was deeply connected to fertility and rebirth. In China, it was thought that wearing green and emeralds on Thursdays would bring good luck, although other cultures varied on the specific day for optimal emerald luck. Many cultures also revered the emerald as a symbol of fidelity. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that a woman wearing an emerald would remain chaste. Some cultures even propagated the use of emeralds in fortune-telling, believing that placing an emerald gem under the tongue would grant the ability to foresee the future.

A History of Healing Properties:

Throughout the known history of the gem, there is compelling evidence of the emerald's perceived efficacy as a healing stone. Reports of emeralds being beneficial to eyesight are found across many historical cultures. For the Sumerians, wearing an emerald pinky ring on the left hand was believed to reduce inflammation. In ancient Greece, emerald was ground into fine powders and made into ointments for the eyes. Paracelsus, a Swiss physician of the Renaissance, advocated grinding an emerald and mixing its powder with laudanum to relieve fevers and other ailments. Other historical medical uses included the prevention of childbirth complications, as an antidote for poison, and in the treatment of burns, indigestion, headaches, and asthma, among numerous other conditions. Even in the present day, the powder of emeralds is still utilized in traditional Chinese folk medicine.

The Emerald of Today:

We now understand that many of the "emeralds" referenced in ancient texts were likely a variety of green-colored gemstones. Modern technology allows us to easily differentiate these gems, distinguishing true emerald from peridot and tourmaline. Emerald is a member of the beryl family, just like aquamarine, and its vibrant green color is attributed to the presence of chromium oxide or vanadium, depending on the gem's origin.

Emeralds typically rank around an 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale but are known to be brittle and prone to fracturing. Most emeralds contain tiny mineral inclusions within the stone. These inclusions can appear in various patterns or as a cloudiness within the stone's color. Because these patterns can resemble branches or moss, they are referred to as the emerald's "jardin," the French word for garden. The prevalence of these inclusions means that flawless emeralds are exceptionally rare compared to other gemstones. Interestingly, the clarity grading of emeralds differs from that of other stones. While diamonds are graded under 10X magnification, emerald clarity is assessed by the naked eye. While treatments exist to enhance the natural beauty of emeralds, there are limitations to these processes. Many appreciate the natural inclusions found in emeralds, considering them part of the stone's unique personality and history.

Stop by Malak Jewelers today and explore our beautiful collection of emerald jewelry, alongside a stunning array of other gemstones, including dazzling diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, luxurious 22k gold, unique estate jewelry, and a wide selection of rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and other exquisite fine jewelry. You can find us in South Charlotte, North Carolina, at The Arboretum Shopping Center, conveniently located at the corner of Providence Road and Pineville-Matthews / Highway 51. We are open to serve you Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Come and discover the vibrant allure of emerald!