May’s Birthstone: The Most Beautiful Green on the Planet

Happy Birthday, May Babies! May is a wonderful time year to be born. After months of cold weather and minimal daylight, May is the first month of the year where we start to feel a little more invigorated as we shed our winter coats and feel the fresh air through our open windows. Flowers are in bloom, the fragrant smells of tree blossoms float through the breeze, and the sun’s warmth is finally strong enough to add some colour to our skin. Is it any wonder that the busiest month for the planet is represented by an emerald, a gemstone famous for its incredibly rich green texture and colour?

All About Emeralds

While emeralds are found all over the world, they are mainly mined in Egypt, India, and, most frequently in Columbia. Their chemical composition is beryl and chromium, and, like other precious stones, the quality or value of the gemstone depends on its colour, clarity, cut and carat. Because of its deep, rich colour, the emerald has been a popular adornment for thousands of years. Emeralds are usually bezel-set, which means that they are protected on all sides with a metal setting. Diamonds and gold are traditional accompaniments to emeralds, as they draw out the emerald’s unique and mesmerizing green tones.

Famous Emeralds

Emeralds have been worn by exotic princesses and British royals alike. They are popular gemstones for family jewels, such as the the Seringapatam Jewels, given to a Major-General after the victory of the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799 in India. What came out of the bloody battle was an incredibly beautiful jewelry set consisting of earrings, necklace, brooch and bracelet, all encrusted with diamonds in a gold and platinum setting. Today, the Seringapatam Jewels are sitting in the Victoria and Albert Museum to be admired by the world.

How to Care for Your Emerald

Unlike diamonds or sapphires, emeralds have a slightly weaker resistance to breakage. Because of their tendency to scratch, they should be treated very carefully and not worn while showering, swimming, or doing anything highly physical. Remove your emerald jewelry before handling chemicals like hairspray or all-purpose cleaner, as this can damage the surface of your stone. Have your emerald professionally cleaned a few times a year. To clean your gemstone at home, sit it in a solution of mild soap and lukewarm (never hot!) water and gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush. To dry the emerald, wipe it down with a clean microfibre cloth. To ensure the longevity of your birthstone, take your jewelry to a professional to have it oiled down.

The Perfect Birthday Gift

Emeralds are an extremely versatile gemstone. The hypnotizing green colour is perfect as a pendent or as a pair of stud earrings. There are so many styles of emerald jewelry to choose from that the possibilities are endless. To treat that special May baby in your life with a present that they’ll cherish for the rest of their life, visit Marlow Design in Calgary today.