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John S Brana Handmade Jewelry
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May Birthdays

May Birthstones

May 01, 2012

May Birthstones - Emerald, Carnelian, and Chrysophrase

May Birthstones - Fine Silver Chrysoprase Necklace by San Francisco jewelry designer John S Brana

Birthstone jewelry is a reflection of individuality and can promote a sense of style. The birthstone for the month of May is emerald and this traditional green gem has a rich history. From the Egyptians to the Irish, emeralds have been treasured by many ancient and modern societies. Gold and silver necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, and earrings encrusted with a May gemstone are the perfect way to accessorize while wearing a piece of jewelry that symbolizes yourself, your family, and people important in your life.

History: Emeralds are believed to have first come from emerald mines belonging to Cleopatra in ancient Egypt, dating back to 330 B.C. The Spanish also prized emeralds and many were brought back from Latin America during the 16th century. Emeralds have a vast history of being a holy stone – in the past and present – and were desired by many cultures, including the Aztecs.

Features: Belonging to the beryl family of gemstones, emeralds have a rating on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness of 7.5 to 8, making them ideal for daily wear. Many pieces of May birthstone jewelry are highly scratch-resistant and durable.

Cuts: Emeralds can be cut in a wide range of shapes to show off their vibrancy. Oval, round, pear-shaped, and hearts are popular shapes used in May birthstone jewelry. The emerald cut maintains a high percentage of the original gemstone, making it the perfect keepsake due to the value.

14k Gold-Filled Wire Wrapped Carnelian Tear Drop Earrings



Colors: While emerald green is the traditional hue associated with May birthstones, there are several shades that help to indicate value. The most costly gems consist of a warm green color. Emeralds that appear too dark or have blue or yellow undertones are usually less valuable. May gemstones that contain a blue-green hue tend to be rare and are pricier then the others. When shopping for May birthstone jewelry, select a hue that appeals to your personality.

Alternative May Birthstones

Green is not the only color of May birthstones, as Carnelian and other bright gemstones are available. Chrysophrase and agate are also acceptable May birthstone colors commonly used in birthstone jewelry. Agate gemstones can be found in many colors, including blue, green, white, and grey. Chrysophrase is typically found in apple green and may have traces of jade. Emerald and alternative colored stones are often incorporated into jewelry and presented as gifts to those born in the Month of May. Ranging in hues from light to deep green, May birthstones are highly fashionable and fit nearly any modern style.

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Emerald - May's Birthstone

May 01, 2010


Brilliant Cut Emerald Intense. Brilliant. Dazzling. How else could one describe the deep green color of May’s traditional birthstone, the emerald?

Emeralds are among the world’s oldest gemstones and have been discovered in many countries from as early as 1500 B.C. In the 1600s, the Emperor Jehangir of Persia owned a cup made from pure emerald which is now on display in New York City’s Museum of Natural History. In fact, Emeralds are featured in museum exhibits around the world and are also part of the Iranian National Treasury. Emeralds are also included among Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection and that of actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Emerald is actually a colorless mineral known as beryl and the intense color is derived from iron and chromium impurities. While natural emeralds come in many colors, green is the most commonly prized. Inclusions, or flaws are not unusual and in fact contribute to the character and fire of this gemstone. Fine emeralds are quite rare and are mined around the world in Brazil, Russia and India, while the most famous mines are located in Colombia and Zimbabwe.

Sterling Silver Starfish Ring with Peridot

Emerald’s natural flaws make the stones relatively fragile. Jewelry cutters developed a special cut specifically named for this gemstone because it helped to enhance its sparkle and brilliance and lessened the possibility of damage to the stone.

Cut Emeralds of today are routinely treated with special oils to enhance their beauty and require special care to maintain their sparkle and luster. Emerald jewelry should not be exposed to solvents or detergents as these can remove the oil, and therefore lessen the beauty and fire of the stone.

This fiery gemstone has a long and colorful history around the world and it is still highly valued in present day. The larger the stone, the more sparkle and brilliance is on display which makes May’s birthstone, the emerald, more highly prized than diamonds by many with a taste for fine jewelry. Green Tourmaline, Tsavorite Garnet, and Carnelian along with Bright Green Gemstones are considered the Alternative birthstones by Gem Dealers, Jewelry Designers, and Jewelry Manufacturers. If you are interested in custom jewelry set with Emeralds or Tourmaline, please Contact Me to request an estimate.

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