Emerald - CEM16

Emerald is one of the most storied gemstones in history. For 6,000 years, it has been cherished for its gorgeous green glow, and the lore is endless. High expectations indeed. The one thing you can count on emerald for every time is to add beauty to any piece of jewelry. In the top-quality range, fine emeralds are more valuable than diamonds, and in the world of fashion, anything green is gold right now. Emeralds are highly valuable even though most of them are saturated with tiny mineral inclusions or fractures, referred to as jardin, from the French word meaning "garden." Flawless emeralds are rare and extremely valuable.

Emeralds belongs to the mineral species of beryl, which also includes blue aquamarine, pink morganite, golden heliodor and the pale green beryl.

Today, some of the finest stones come from Colombia, which has about 150 known deposits, the best of which come from the Chivor and Muzo mines. There is also an important mine at Coscuez, which today produces most Colombian emeralds. Colombian emeralds are distinctive for their fine, shining emerald green, unimpaired by any kind of bluish tint. Colombia’s mines also produce rarities such as the so-called trapiche emeralds, with six rays emanating from the center, resembling the spokes of a millwheel.

Emerald is the designated gemstone for May, the day of Tuesday, the season of spring, as well as the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. In numerology emerald has been associated with the number four.

Emerald has been credited with improving one's memory and intelligence and transforming negativity into positive emotional energy. During middle ages, it was believed that emerald would keep a woman chaste - but surely what they meant was "happy."