Coveted for its luminous green shade, the emerald has long been a symbol of hope and rebirth. The stone is commonly associated with the season of spring, and has been steeped in mystique for thousands of years. In the Middle Ages, soothsayers used emeralds to tell fortunes, and ancient Romans believed emeralds had the power to calm the soul.
The emerald is a variety of mineral beryl, and gets it green coloring from trace amounts of chromium. It ranks between 7.5 and 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, making it less resistant to scratching then diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. The emerald comes in a variety of green shades, with the darkest hues demanding the highest prices.
Traditionally, the highest quality emeralds have come from Columbia, but top quality stones have also been collected from the Ural Mountains in Russia. Flawless specimens, although existent, are rare. The majority of emeralds have minor inclusions that are treated with heat or oil to reduce their visibility. In caring for emeralds, owners should clean their jewelry with warm water and a cloth. It is also important to never expose emeralds to extreme temperatures.
The birthstone of May, the emerald is the recommended gift for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. Its enchanting shade and rich lore make it an attractive stone for a variety of jewelry settings.
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