Emerald is the Modern and Traditional birthstone for May. It is also
listed as a birthstone for the Zodiac signs for Taurus and Cancer, as the
Planetary stone for Taurus and the Talismanic stone for Gemini. Emerald is
the only stone, besides
Topaz, that is listed as in all of the ancient
birthstone tables.
Emerald is also suggested as an anniversary gift for the 20th and
35th anniversaries and as an alternate stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.
Mummies in ancient Egypt were often buried with an emerald on their necks carved
with the symbol for verdure, flourishing greenness, to symbolize eternal youth.
Islamic texts describe the Garden of Paradise as carpeted with emerald. The
Moguls of India, including Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, loved
emeralds so much they inscribed them with sacred text and wore them as
talismans. Some of these sacred stones, called Mogul emeralds, can still be seen
in museums and collections today.
The Incas had an emerald goddess, a fabulous emerald the size of an ostrich egg.
In tribute they sacrificed her children: smaller emeralds that were presented to
the goddess.
Because the rich green colour of emerald is the colour of spring, it has long
symbolized love and rebirth. As the gem of Venus, it was also considered
an aid to fertility.
Sources
The Spaniards spent years searching for the source of the fantastic green gems.
They found it finally in what is today Colombia. While Colombia is still the
world's largest and most famous emerald-producing country, Brazil and Zambia
have emerged as major sources for this gem.
Emerald is most often cut in a rectangular step-cut, which is popularly known as
the emerald cut. Smaller sizes are also found in rounds, ovals, pear
shapes and marquise cuts. You may have to look a while for an unusual
shape in a larger size.
Emeralds, among the rarest of gems, are almost always found with birthmarks,
known as inclusions. These inclusions are referred to as an internal
garden "jardin". Inclusions are expected in Emeralds and do not detract from
the value of the stone as much as with other gemstones.
However, you should look to make sure that fissures do not go too deep into the
stone so that it might be weakened enough to break if it were hit accidentally.
Care
Avoid cleaning emerald with hot soapy water or steam and never clean an emerald
in an ultrasonic cleaner because the oil or resin could be removed or damaged,
making fissures more visible.
Emeralds are durable gemstones with a
hardness of 7.5 to 8. However, emeralds with many inclusions should be treated
with some care and be protected from impact.
Clean emerald with mild dish soap, use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone
where dust and oil can collect.
Legend and Healing Properties
Emeralds were used as amulets to ward off epilepsy in children and thought to
cure diseases of the eye. Folklore suggests that these stones will improve
memory, intelligence, and enhance clairvoyance thus helping to predict future
events. They are also worn to enhance love and contentment.
Cleopatra prized Emeralds above all other
gems.
Emerald is the Modern and Traditional birthstone for May. It is also
listed as a birthstone for the Zodiac signs for Taurus and Cancer, as the
Planetary stone for Taurus and the Talismanic stone for Gemini. Emerald is
the only stone, besides 
Avoid cleaning emerald with hot soapy water or steam and never clean an emerald
in an ultrasonic cleaner because the oil or resin could be removed or damaged,
making fissures more visible.