May birthdays are celebrated with one of the most captivating gemstones in the world: emerald. At Lilliane’s Jewelry, clients often tell us that no photograph does justice to the deep, saturated green they see when we place an emerald in their hands in our Leawood showroom.
A Color Named After the Gem Itself
Emerald belongs to the beryl family, and its rich green color comes from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. The color is so iconic that the shade emerald green is named directly after the stone. The finest emeralds display a vivid, slightly bluish green with excellent saturation.
Cleopatra's Favorite Gem
Emerald has been treasured for over 4,000 years. Egyptian queen Cleopatra was famously obsessed with emeralds, claiming ownership of all the emerald mines in Egypt during her reign. The Incas and Aztecs also prized emerald, considering it a holy stone.
The Jardin Inside
Nearly all natural emeralds contain visible inclusions, often called a jardin, French for garden, since the internal fractures and mineral inclusions resemble tangled foliage. Rather than being a flaw, this is considered a natural characteristic of the stone. Emeralds with fewer visible inclusions are rarer and significantly more valuable.
Durability and Care
Emerald ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, but it is more brittle than its hardness suggests because of its many natural inclusions. Almost all emeralds are treated with a colorless oil to fill tiny surface-reaching fractures and improve clarity. Because of this, emeralds should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or with harsh chemicals, which can strip the oil and cause the stone to look hazy.
Lilliane’s Tip: Because emeralds are a bit more delicate than diamonds, we recommend saving them for occasions and jewelry pieces that see gentler wear, like earrings or a pendant, rather than an everyday stacking ring.
Quick Facts About Emerald
- Mohs Hardness: 7.5 to 8
- Color Range: Light to deep bluish-green
- Symbolism: Rebirth, love, and wisdom
- Zodiac Connection: Taurus and Gemini
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do emeralds have visible inclusions?
Nearly all natural emeralds form with internal inclusions, often called a jardin. This is simply part of the stone’s natural character and does not necessarily indicate poor quality.
Q: Can I clean my emerald jewelry at home?
We recommend only a gentle wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and harsh chemicals, which can damage the oil treatment most emeralds receive.
Visit Us in Leawood
If you were born in May or simply love the timeless allure of green, we invite you to visit our Leawood showroom to see our emerald collection sparkle in person.
