May Birthstone: 10 Fun Facts (Emerald)
We figure, if Emeralds are fit enough for Cleopatra, they have to be worth investing in, right?!
Here are 10 fun facts about Emeralds that will hopefully make you love this vibrant gem even more!
Emerald is birthstone for all the wonderful May babies.
For all the romantics out there…emeralds can be used to mark a 20th or 55th wedding anniversary.
Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. When beryl features a vibrant emerald green colour it is classified as an emerald, but lighter versions of the same material are referred to as simply green beryl and don’t reach the same value as their emerald counterparts.
In 2011 Elizebeth Taylor’s Emerald pendant sold for a whopping £5,054,580. That’s a jaw dropping £215,000 per carat.
Emeralds were first mined in Egypt as early as circa 3500BC! The Egyptians saw Emeralds as a symbol of fertility and re-birth. As a symbol of eternal youth, mummies were often buried with them.
More than 50% of the worldwide production of emeralds comes from Colombia in South America.
Emeralds are rarer than…diamonds! Drop the mic.
Inclusion in emeralds are to be expected. 99% of natural emeralds feature them. These inclusions can be referred to as ‘jardin’ (French for garden) and can add attractive & unique patterns within the gems. As a result of these natural inclusions, Emeralds can be treated with oils and resins, so you should maintain & wear them with care.
Emerald is the only gemstone with a cut named after it; they are often cut in a rectangular step cut known as the gorgeous ‘emerald cut’.
Emeralds are 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
