Emerald is the birthstone of May and has traditionally been treated as one of the most treasured gemstones. Coincidentally, Emerald is May's birthstone which is my birthstone and one of my go-to gemstones in designs.
Would you believe that this green gemstone fascinated the eyes and hearts of royalties back then and even up until today? So what's the story behind this so-called "Stone of Love and Truth"? Of course, its glowing appearance greatly impacted its remarkable beauty, but what else is in there? In this blog, you will learn more about its meaning and history.
A Glimpse of Emerald's Meaning and History
Emerald is one of four "precious" gemstones, along with Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires. It comes in various colors ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the finest being a pure emerald green hue that goes from medium to dark in tone. The term comes from the Greek word smaragdus, which means "green gem." From at least 330 BC to the 1700s, Egypt had the world's first known emerald mines, although others believe the oldest emeralds date back to 2.97 billion years ago.
The Maharajas of India and Cleopatra, Egypt's most famous female Pharaoh, are both enthusiasts of emeralds. For centuries, the Cleopatra Mines, also known as the Emerald Mountains, was one of the essential mining complexes in ancient history. Cleopatra is undoubtedly the most well-known historical figure to have cherished emeralds. During her rule, she often wore it as part of her royal adornments and even claimed possession of all emerald mines in Egypt.
When Spanish explorers entered the New World in the 16th century, emerald was a significant part of their wealth. Before the Spanish arrived, the Incas used emeralds in their jewelry and religious ceremonies for almost 500 years. They were introduced to emerald's beauty and its aesthetic value as a trading asset for elite people of Europe and Asia along the way.
On the other side of the globe, the Muzo Indians of Colombia possessed well-protected and highly sought emerald mines. These mines were so cleverly hidden that it took the Spanish conquistadors over twenty years to discover them. Today, Colombia is now the world's top source of emeralds, contributing to more than 60% of global production. Apart from Egypt and India, Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are also sources of emeralds.
This gem undeniably maintained its status as a symbol of wealth and power. The best example was Elizabeth Taylor's renowned emerald pendant gifted by her husband, Richard Burton. At the 2011 Christie's auction of Elizabeth Taylor's estate, the pendant alone fetched US$6.5 million.
Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari emerald and diamond necklace with emerald and diamond brooch on display during a preview of "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor" Dec 2011, at Christie's in New York. Photos by: Keystone & Stan Honda/Getty Images.
What's in it for Emeralds
Emerald, often known as the "Stone of Successful Love," awakens and nurtures the heart and the Heart Chakra. It provides complete healing to learn to love yourself and others and positively perceive the world.
It is a stone of inspiration and endless patience, and it represents the qualities of unity, compassion, and unwavering love.
It is believed to provide good fortune, discernment, good health, and a youthful appearance to those who wear it. Moreover, it encourages friendship, loyalty, and wisdom among people.
Historically, Emerald was thought to have magical powers to protect the wearer from sickness.
Emerald is a grounding gemstone that is highly beneficial in meditation; using emerald can help you get into and stay in a deep meditation state by encouraging you to breathe in a regular pattern. Once realized, it helps to keep the incredible brilliance of intentional reflection.
Emeralds as an Alternative for Engagement Rings
Colored gemstone engagement rings have grown increasingly popular with brides-to-be, not only for their brilliant colors but also for their distinctive style. The rich green color of an emerald makes it a head-turner, and as with sparkling diamonds, there are virtually no limitations to the settings, shapes, and styles that can be used. Pliny the Elder, a Roman author, once said that "nothing greens greener" than an emerald, and I couldn't agree more.
If you aren't sure about getting an emerald for your engagement ring choice, let's look at the pros and cons of getting an emerald engagement ring.
Pros of Emerald Engagement Ring:
Emeralds can be more affordable than diamonds depending on the size and quality, giving them a budget-friendly option for engagement rings.
Emeralds are adaptable and go well with a variety of setting styles. This provides you with numerous options for a non-traditional engagement ring.
An emerald engagement rings are less popular than other engagement rings, but it can still be a good choice. Because an emerald engagement ring makes your ring more unique, and every bride wants something special, right?
The value of emeralds is typically stable throughout time, making them an excellent investment piece.
Cons of Emerald Engagement Ring:
Emeralds are fragile and easily fractured, so durability is a crucial concern. They have a lower Moh's hardness value than other gemstones such as sapphire, rubies, or diamonds, typically ranging from 7.5 to 8. As a result, emeralds are more delicate and can break. Because an engagement ring is generally worn every day, it should be able to withstand some daily wear and tear, which is why a protective ring setting is essential.
Emeralds are commonly heavily included, with large inclusions within them. Inclusions are a type of flaw in the stone. It is either an aesthetic you find appealing or not, and it is something you should think about before purchasing an emerald engagement ring.
Due to their lack of strength, emeralds require more frequent cleaning than other stones. They also usually need to be cleaned by hand rather than an ultrasonic machine.
So there you have it! Most of us desire something new, and emeralds would be a great choice as a unique engagement and wedding ring despite its drawbacks. I hope by now, I've helped you understand why you should consider an emerald engagement ring today.
Emeralds spotted at 2022 Oscars Red Carpet:
Vanessa Hudgens
She knows that the Oscars require the most stunning jewels, opting for a Bulgari statement necklace. The eye-catching item was set with almost 23 carats of emeralds and accompanied by a matching pair of earrings.
Gabi Wilson (H.E.R)
The singer accessorized her vibrant yellow ensemble with a Chopard high-jewelry necklace made in 18-karat white gold and composed of 49.24 carats of emeralds and 62.15 carats of white diamonds. The ensemble was completed with emerald studs and a ring set with a 13.12-carat green tourmaline.
(Photos by Getty Images)
Emerald was given its name in honor of a queen, and whoever owns it will undoubtedly feel like one. As a result, it is not only an attractive stone to look at, but it is also a meaningful jewelry gift that you will cherish for a lifetime. There is much custom-designed jewelry on the market, and choosing Emerald as your gemstone would be the choice you wouldn't regret.
If you're interested in learning more about our gorgeous collection of emerald jewelry, please contact us.
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