MAY BIRTHSTONE
The emerald is a simple and stunning gem, long known for its ability to bring good fortunes and foresight. A favorite amongst royalty, the emerald is the symbol of rebirth, which makes it the perfect birthstone for springtime!
What makes the emerald stand out is its exclusivity. Emeralds only come in green hues, confident enough to not share the spotlight. Even the word emerald is derived from the word “smaragdus,” which is simply Greek for “green.” It does come in various shades and hues of green, and the deeper and richer the color, the more valuable it is.
Natural emeralds are made from a mineral called “beryl,” and are actually found in many places throughout the world. Colombian emeralds are the cream of the crop, and they account for up to 90% of the planet’s supply. Emeralds also come in lab made and synthetic versions, and are so well done that even experts struggle to tell the difference with just their eyes!
These gorgeous gemstones are notoriously high maintenance, however. Emeralds are relatively soft, meaning they are very delicate and prone to scratches and other imperfections, so they need a little extra TLC:
- Clean them gently with lukewarm soapy water and the softest brush possible (a soft toothbrush works great).
- Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners; they can damage the natural oils often used to enhance emeralds and may leave unwanted marks.
- Store emeralds separately in soft cloth pouches to prevent scratches from harder jewelry.
Need cleaning supplies or a beautiful jewelry holder? We’ve got you covered!
Check out the picks of our finest emerald pieces in stock now!
STAFF FAVORITES
This month’s staff favorite is available at our Lake City store.
Judy Peters, our sales specialist in Lake City, shows off this extravagant Blue Sapphire & Diamond ring.
Great pick, Judy!
Judy tells us, “The blues in this ring remind me of the spring blue sky! And with a ring this breathtaking, you’ll feel like royalty when you’re wearing it!”
Check out this month's Staff Favorite at our Woodbury location!
