BIRTHSTONE FOR MAY: EMERALD
02.05.16
Emerald is the most precious stone in the beryl group. Unlike other beryl gems, emeralds often contain inclusions and other flaws. However, these impurities are not seen as negatives for emeralds like they would be for other stones. Instead, they are considered to be a part of the stone’s character and indicate the natural origin of the stone.
Emerald is a green to blue green beryl; in which the colour derives from impurities of chromium, vanadium or both. The deeper and more vivid the green, the more valuable the gemstone. The most valuable emeralds are those coming in a medium dark tone and exhibiting an intense bluish hue with strong saturation. Often top quality emeralds are more valuable than diamonds.
The oldest emerald deposits were found near the Red Sea in Egypt. These mines, also known as “Cleopatra’s Mines”, were exploited by Egyptian pharaohs as early as 3000 B.C. In fact, one of the most famous collections of emeralds was that of Cleopatra, who was said to be fanatical about the gemstone.
Today, most of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia.
Mogul Emerald
Mogul Emerald is one of the world's largest emeralds. Ten centimetres tall, it dates back to 1695 and weighs 217.80 carats. One side of the stone is inscribed with prayer texts, and the other is engraved with magnificent floral ornaments.
This legendary emerald was traded at Christie's Auction House in London to an anonymous buyer for $2.2m in 2001.
Patricia Emerald
The New York Museum of Natural History exhibits the Patricia, one of the largest Colombian emerald crystals, which weighs 632 carats. It is shown next to the 252 carat cup made of pure emerald which belonged to the Emperor Jehangir in the end of the 16th century.
The Chalk Emerald Ring
Deep green Chalk Emerald of superb clarity and weighting 37.82 carat ranks among the very finest Colombian emeralds. According to the legend, it was once the centrepiece of an emerald and diamond necklace, which belonged to a maharani of the former state of Baroda in India.
The Guinness Emerald Crystal
The 1759-carat gemstone is one of the largest high-quality emerald crystals in the world. It was found at the Coscuez in Colombia, becoming a part of the collection of the Bank of Bogota, Colombia. The collection includes four other highly-valued emerald crystals weighting between 220 and 1796 carats, that also collectively form a part of the Iranian National Treasury.
The Mackay Emerald Necklace
Credit: kilchichakov.livejournal.com
The stunning 167.97-carat Mackay Emerald was mined in Muzo, Colombia. The largest cut emerald in the National Gem Collection, it is set in an Art Deco diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier Inc. In 1931, Clarence Mackay presented the necklace as a wedding gift to Anna Case, a prima donna of the New York Metropolitan Opera (1909-1920). In 1984, she donated the piece to the Smithsonian Institute.
As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth.
The so-called “Stone of Successful Love” opens and nurtures the heart and the Heart Chakra. The stone of inspiration and infinite patience, it embodies unity and compassion; promotes friendship, balance between partners; provides domestic bliss, contentment and loyalty.
