Birthstone of the Month: Emerald

In honor of those with their birthday in May, we have started a monthly discount program with 10% off of the birthstone of each month, starting with May: Emerald.

For those of you who may be interested, I did a little historical research on the lore behind emeralds. The ancients prized emerald as the gemstone symbolizing love and rebirth. Treasured for at least 4,000 years by different cultures all around the world, the beautiful-green gemstone is said to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart. Legend gives its owner the gift of eloquence. The Mughals of India, including Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, loved emeralds so much they inscribed them with sacred text and wore them as talismans. Some of these sacred stones, called Mughal emeralds, can still be seen in museums and collections today.

Emeralds are cut in Jaipur, India and Tel-Aviv, Israel as well as in the mining countries. Emerald is one of the most difficult gemstones to cut because of the high value of the rough stone and the many inclusions found in crystals. Small changes in orientation can make a large difference in the final appearance of the gem. Skilled craftsmen who specialize in cutting emerald can be found in cities around the world for jewelers who insist on having stones perfected for the optimum brilliance and vibrancy.

Although many people consider Colombia to be the source of the best emeralds, country of origin is never a guarantee of quality. Even the best mine produces mostly low quality gemstones because good qualities are more rare. Fine emeralds also come from Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Russia and other countries, so don't be afraid to choose the emerald that looks better to you.

Emeralds are very soft, so we do not recommend them for everyday wear when they are set in rings or bracelets. That being said, when well taken care of, emeralds are a stone that can last the generations.

So, come in today to see our selection of fine emerald jewelry and get 10% off. We have something for every price range just waiting to find the right home.