02.05.22 May’s official birthstone is the very gorgeous, and often expensive, emerald. The most affordable emeralds are the least transparent, and the most included, and are therefore considered poor quality for fine jewellery. Beautifully clear emeralds, suited to cutting, are very rare, hence the cost. Emerald is the only one of the four officially recognised “precious stones” (the others being diamond, sapphire and ruby) that is only ever one colour, although the shade of green can vary.

The oldest emeralds are several billion years old but they were first mined in Egypt around 1500BC. Mummies were often found to have been buried with these green stones as they were associated with fertility, rebirth and eternal youth. These days over 50% of natural emeralds come from Colombia.

Ancient sages believed that emeralds could provide marital bliss and the stone is still regarded today as “a stone of successful love” which brings with it domestic harmony and balance in partnerships. It is said that an emerald will change colour if a partner is unfaithful. It is also a gem that promotes friendship, unity, unconditional love and loyalty.

Green stones – including emerald – resonate with the heart chakra and have a healing effect on emotions as well as the heart itself. They are said to balance physical, emotional and mental wellbeing thus creating harmony and good health in all areas of one’s life. Green stones are also associated with good luck so it’s not surprising that emeralds have been linked to prosperity since ancient times.

Emerald is also considered a stone of wisdom. It can be used to focus intentions, eliminate negativity, raise the consciousness and enhance psychic abilities. It can help to facilitate clarity of thought and bring awareness of the unknown into conscious recognition, and with that, better memory, clearer discernment and more balanced reasoning. It can help to transform this clearer thinking into positive action and activity, enabling users and/or wearers to enjoy life to the fullest.

Emerald is said to treat disorders of the heart, lungs, spine and muscular system, also aiding in recovery from infectious diseases, detoxifying the liver and helping to alleviate diabetes and rheumatism. So, there we have it, emerald is a useful as well as a beautiful stone.

Oh, while we’re here, do you remember “The Emerald City” in “The Wizard of Oz”? Well in the original book published in 1900, it wasn’t emerald at all… it was actually white. The Wizard just insisted all residents and visitors wore green-lensed spectacles at all times to apparently protect their eyes from the city’s “brightness and glory” thus tricking everyone into believing it was actually green in colour. By the time the film made it to the big screen in 1939, however, Technicolor and enthusiasm on the part of the filmmakers had turned the city into a shimmering emerald metropolis.

Jewellery and other items with emeralds can be viewed HERE. If you love green gems but can’t afford emeralds you could try searching this site for aventurine, chrome diopside, moss agate, jade or perhaps malachite.