Emerald Birthstone: A Detailed Look at the May Gem

The history of emeralds spans millennia, with the earliest recorded mining dating back to 330 B.C. in Egypt. Queen Cleopatra cherished emeralds and loved adorning herself as well as her palace with these exquisite gems. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign. Yes, queen.

Emeralds were highly significant to the Egyptians, connoting fertility and new beginnings, and were often buried with monarchs as a form of protection in the afterlife. Further east, The Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, though made of a form of jasper, attests to emerald’s enduring cultural importance in the region.

Throughout history, emeralds have captivated civilizations worldwide, from their mystical associations in Roman times to their healing properties valued by the Aztecs and Incas. Even during the European Renaissance, emeralds adorned nobility, signifying wealth and cultural sophistication.

Emeralds continue to fascinate today, featuring prominently in pop culture, associated with the land of Oz, Disney’s Encanto and the Sonic game universe. They also command high prices in the world of jewellery, often seen on Hollywood stars such as Zoë Kravitz and Emma Stone, not to mention Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic $6 million emerald pendant.

When it comes to emeralds, what makes them truly special is a mix of factors that bring out their beauty and rarity. Let’s break it down:

Color: The color of an emerald is a big deal. The ones considered the best ones have a lush green tone with minimal hints of brown or grey. Think of it as that perfect shade of green you’d find in an enchanted forest, known as ‘pure green’ in the industry. Emeralds can appear in a range of tones that include yellow-green or extremely dark forest-green, but ultimately, what the best color is the one you choose for yourself. It’s often said if you have three good emerald options – you’ll likely have one that almost calls to you and just feels like the right choice. Follow your gut.

Clarity: You might notice little flaws inside emeralds, called inclusions. They’re like nature’s fingerprints and actually add character to the gem. In fact, with these stones in particular, the whole charm of an emerald lies in its inclusions. If you’re looking for a flawless looking stone, emeralds might not be the choice for you. On the flip side, too many can make the stone look slightly cloudy, which then affects its quality so it’s important to get the balance right. We will only recommend stones that have a desirable amount of inclusions – nothing that features an obvious large placement on the stone’s surface or that could compromise its integrity.

Carat Weight: Like with any gem, size matters. Bigger emeralds are harder to come by and have a larger surface area to display internal imperfections – this means that finding the perfect one often comes at a premium. But a smaller emerald with top-notch color and clarity can sometimes be even more prized. Decide which of the emerald quality factors is most important to you and then work to balance the remaining factors to fit within your price point.