Emerald Birthstone & Gemstone – May - Planet – Mercury

Birthstone - May

Planet - Mercury

ABOUT

Emeralds measure 7.5 to 8 on Moh’s Scale and are distinguished by their color, transparency and clarity. Emeralds tend to have very little transparency, but if you hold it against light you will be able to see a considerable amount of glow. The color of Emerald is unique and is not found in any other. Green onyx can be a cheaper substitute for Emerald, but being opaque, it does not allow any amount of light to pass through it hence it is easy to know the difference.

COMPOSITION

Emeralds belong to the Beryl family that also includes Aquamarines. The color of Emerald comes from the presence of Chromimum, which is an impurity but in combination with beryl renders it green. Most Emeralds are highly inclusive and so their toughness is generally classified as poor. They can be brittle and so setting them on jewellery is an expensive deal. Being of low density, a 1 carat emerald will look biggerthan a 1 carat diamond.

SOURCE

Emerald are mainly found in Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Afghanistan, Madagascar and Columbia. Columbian emerald being the most famous followed by Zambia made famous by jewellers in recent times.

Elizabeth Taylor's Emerald Bracelet

FAME

The Elizabeth Taylor’s Bulgari Emeralds and Jacqueline Kennedy’s diamond and emerald Wedding ring constitutes of two very famous jewels designed in Emerald that took the glamour world by storm. Some other notable Emeralds through history are “The Devonshire Emerald” now present in the National History Museum in London, “The Mughal Emerald” belonging to King Aurangzeb and “The Chalk Emerald” formally owned by the Maharani of Baroda.

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