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Birthstone for May - Emerald
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
May's Birthstone: Emerald
Birthstone Properties: Symbolizes serenity and peace of mind.
Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire
Emerald is the birthstone for May and also the anniversary gemstone for
the 20th and 35th years of marriage. Some people believe wearing an
emerald brings wisdom, growth and patience. It is perhaps this last
attribute that may explain why a gift of emerald for an anniversary -- or
any occasion -- is symbolic of love and fidelity.
All Eyes on Emeralds
Emeralds were once prescribed for eye diseases because the green color was
believed to be soothing to the eyes. Early stone cutters kept emeralds at
their tables to gaze upon as a way to give their eyes a break. Even 21st
Century color specialists agree that green is soothing, restful, and
relaxing for the eyes.
Today's versatile emeralds continue to be "easy on the eyes," used in
earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other body adornment.
The Color of Spring
An emerald shines like green lightning, filling us with the same wonder as
the civilizations that came before us. Ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in
the eastern desert region 2,000 years before Cleopatra's birth, yet today
recent finds in North Carolina may provide a new source for quality
emeralds in the U.S. Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia are where most emeralds are mined in the
21st Century.
May's birthstone seems perfectly suited to the rites of Spring, matching
the colors of the season with its own bottomless green. In fact, the
Egyptians engraved emeralds with symbols for Spring foliage to represent
eternal youth, and then buried the jewels with their dead. Elsewhere in
the ancient world, the Romans associated emeralds with fertility and the
rebirth brought about each Spring. Nero, it's said, watched the gladiators
through emerald glasses.
The Incas worshiped emeralds as long as they could. In the 1500's, they
were invaded by Spanish Conquistadors who stole their gemstones and
pillaged their mines. As a result, many of the world's most magnificent
emeralds were lost at the bottom of the sea inside shipwrecked Spanish
galleons.
It's Not Easy Being Green
The word "emerald" is a variation of the Greek word "smaragdos," which
means "green stone" perfectly appropriate for a gemstone that is, in fact,
the green variety of the mineral beryl. Emeralds range from strong
bluish-green to green hues, although some emeralds have a slightly
yellowish green. If the hue is too yellow or too blue it loses its
"emerald" status and is simply a different variety of beryl.
Colombian emeralds are generally agreed to be among the most beautiful
gemstones in the world, with a grass-green coloring highlighted by a touch
of blue.
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
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