Emerald gets its name from the ancient Greek word smaragdus, meaning green.
Emerald is famous for its gorgeous green coloring in pop culture such as the Wizard of Oz, and in general conversation. Saying something is emerald green is a great compliment! Pliny the Elder stated that “nothing greens greener” than emerald.
Emerald is the most famous member of the beryl family. It has a hardness of 7 1/2 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and poor to good toughness.
Emerald was thought to relieve eye strain, which modern science agrees with due to its green hue. It was also thought to increase intelligence and quick wit, cure diseases like cholera, and cause new growth in life.
Not only is emerald May’s birthstone, it’s also the 20th and 25th wedding anniversary gift.
Many emeralds are oiled or fracture-filled to improve their appearance. These fill any blemishes and inclusions in the stone, which makes them appear brighter. If it’s an oiled stone, don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner!
Have any questions about emeralds? Leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to answer them!
how come the earring arent as bright as the pendant?
That’s a very good question! One reason is our lighting when we take the picture, but a bigger reason is the emerald’s color. The earrings have a very deep green color, where the pendant has a lighter, brighter green.