Emeralds The Beauty of May ~ by Grace Augustine

The beautiful green emerald is the birthstone for May and the

suggested gift for 55th wedding anniversaries. This gem is one of the most desired and cherished for its color. Traces of chromium and/or vanadium in the mineral cause it to take on a green color. If the stone has trace amounts of iron, it will take on a bluish or yellowish green, depending on the stage of oxidation.

Emeralds are a hard stone, but because of its many inclusions, or flaws,  it is not very durable. Most of the gems are treated with oils or waxes that make the fractures less visible. When cleaning your emeralds, be careful. Use warm water with a mild soap and only when they need it.

Most of today’s emeralds are produced in Brazil, Colombia,

Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Sedimentary rocks, such as black organic shale or carabonaceous limestone are mined for the green beauty. Emeralds are also lab generated. Prices for lab generated stones can soar into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Emeralds are called the stones of successful love. They bring

freshness, unity, patience, compassion, and vitality to your spirit as well as healing on all levels.

To learn more about the precious emerald, please visit these sites.

CRYSTAL VAULTS

GEOLOGY.COM