Looking for a fabulous birthday and/or Mother’s Day gift for next month? Arguably the world’s most popular green gemstone, emerald is May’s birthstone. The deeper the color, the more valuable the stone, although we think all emeralds are truly beautiful in their own unique way. For a truly special gift, let David Craig Jewelers custom design you an emerald pendant necklace, earrings, bracelets or more.

Ten Interesting Facts About Emeralds

1. The green color of emeralds symbolizes spring and renewal. The first known emeralds were probably mined in Egypt. Mummies were said to be buried with them to symbolize re-birth. The famed Cleopatra was thought to have been especially fond of emeralds.
2. On the Mohs scale that measures gemstone hardness, emeralds register between 7.5 and 8, making them fairly strong but more easily chipped or scratched than diamonds.
3. Believe it or not, top quality emeralds can be worth even more than diamonds. It’s extremely rare to find an emerald without imperfections (inclusions).
4. Emeralds are primarily sourced from places like Columbia (the top source), Brazil and Zambia. The elegantly carved “Mogul Mughal Emerald,” one of the largest emeralds known, weighs 217.80 carats. That’s some emerald!
5. The “emerald cut” you hear about usually in relationship to diamond engagement rings was actually originally created for emeralds. It’s a rectangular shape with chiseled cuts developed to allow these more brittle gems to less likely to chip. The flat main surface is known as the “table” of the stone.
6. Like diamonds, emeralds are evaluated base on the “4Cs” – clarity, color, cut and carat weight. They vary in shades from soft, light green to deep, dark green.
7. Clean your emeralds gently with warm water. The many inclusions of the gemstone make them more susceptible to cracking from use and temperature change. If your gemstone needs some loving care, just bring it in and David Craig Jewelers can reinforce and enhance the stone as needed.
8. Film star Elizabeth Taylor’s famous rectangular emerald pendant, given to her by Richard Burton, and surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds, sold for nearly $7million in 2011, setting a world record at the time.
9. This lovely May birthstone is also considered the modern and traditional 55^th anniversary gift. Wow the one you love with an emerald and make this huge accomplishment even grander.
10. Long regarded as a spectacular jewel, these “Jewels of Kings” were worn as talismans to bring riches, promote eloquence and allow the wearer to predict the future. Emeralds were also thought to represent healing and fertility.

Check out more information on emeralds from the American Gem Society and stop on in for a gemstone chat with our experts at David Craig Jewelers!