All About Emeralds

I always used to wish I was born in May. Jealous of my friends with emerald birthstone earrings, when I was young I always wished I could sport gorgeous green studs in my ears. Years later I realized I can proudly wear emerald bracelets, necklaces, and even those coveted earrings, worry free. The emerald will always be my go-to choice for holidays and special events.

Check out some fun facts about my favorite stone, and feel free to stop in at either of Tobin Jewelers’ Milwaukee area stores to check out our selection of diamonds, gemstones, and other fine jewelry. And if you’re lucky enough to posses a loose emerald or other precious gem, inquire about our custom design services-we would love to help you create the perfect piece out of your special treasure.

1. The word emerald comes from the Latin smaragdus which means green.
2. Emeralds come in various shades of green, from deep darkish green to soft green, fine grass green and light green.
3. Reflecting the color of spring, emerald is the birthstone for May. It is also a traditional gift for those celebrating 20th or 35th anniversaries.
4. Emeralds are relatively strong gemstones, registering 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. While they are fairly resilient to knocks, they can be chipped or scratched.
5. Emeralds have been found in many countries, including Colombia, Russia and Brazil, which is the world’s largest supplier of emeralds.
6. The most valuable emeralds are a pure, vivid green with a concentrated, pure hue which does not include traces of other shades such as brown or yellow.
7. Most emeralds have inclusions (imperfections). It is extremely rare to find a natural emerald without flaws. That is why a top-quality natural emerald will often be worth more than a top-quality diamond of the same weight.
8. One of the largest emeralds discovered is the Mogul Emerald, weighing in at 217.80 carats. It is about 10 cm high.
9. Emeralds are often associated with magic and mystery. The color of nature, they are said to promote a calm and peaceful spirit.
10. Almost all natural emeralds undergo treatment to improve their color and eliminate visible imperfections. The industry-accepted practice is to use a green-tinted oil to fill in any cracks and reinforce the emerald against unintentional chipping or splintering.