Why is Emerald the May Birthstone? Explore Its Fascinating History
May is the month when the spring is at its best and getting ready to cede centrestage to summer. This makes the bright green colored emerald the perfect gemstone to be the birthstone of the month of May. The word itself is derived from the Greek word “smaragdus” which is just a word for green. We heard about the mineral called beryl, which is the basic ingredient of aquamarine, which has a bluish color. The same beryl is the mineral that makes up the brilliant green emerald. This stone has been favored by the famous Queen Cleopatra of prehistoric times as well as the more recent queen of celluloid Elizabeth Taylor.
Ancient Origins of the Emerald
The emerald is one of the gemstones that has the oldest recorded history, having been first found almost 3 billion years ago. We find evidence and mentions of emeralds being worn in Egyptian texts as also among the Muzos of South America. Today this brilliant gemstone is mostly mined in Afghanistan, Zambia, Brazil and Columbia. The emerald has been said to have several health benefits, like curing and controlling digestive problems, bleeding and even epilepsy. Emeralds also give a soothing mindset to the wearer, relieving him or her of tensions. But most of all, its beauty is what attracts the wearer to it.
Symbolism and Significance
Apart from health benefits, there are several other positive associations with the emerald gemstone. The association with the vibrant green color and with the regenerative spring season suggest that the emerald signifies new beginnings. It is presented as a sign of loyalty from the giver to the receiver. The deeper the shade of emerald, the more valuable it is supposed to be. The colors of the emerald can range from very light translucent green to a deep, almost opaque green. Some rare emeralds also have a touch of blue in the base green color.
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