Choosing your perfect gemstone: Emerald
Emerald is one of the four ‘precious gemstones’ and is the birthstone for May and is also gifted for 35th wedding anniversaries.
This gemstone is a member of the beryl family with it’s distinctive green colour from the element chromium. Emerald is believed to help calm the mind and is associated with the heart.
BIRTHSTONE: MAY
ANNIVERSARY: 35TH
COLOURS: GREEN
MINERAL: BERYL WITH CHROMIUM VANADIUM
HARDNESS: 7.5-8.0 MOHRS
More ABOUT EMERALD…
In the grading of coloured gemstones, colour is by far the most important criterion. However, in the grading of emeralds, clarity is considered a close second because they are often very visibly ‘included’ with black flaws and surface breaking fissures and often can appear a bit ‘cloudy’.
When finding the perfect emerald for your piece of jewellery we aim to provide the brightest and most vivid shade of green without obvious inclusions.
YOUR CARE GUIDE
Emeralds are quite brittle and therefore can break easily, whilst they are quite safe in pendants and earrings we have to be very considered when designing ring design featuring an emerald.
Ultrasonic vibrations used to professionally clean jewellery can weaken already-fractured stones, and hot steam can cause any oil or unhardened resin to sweat out of fractures.
We recommend when cleaning your jewellery at home that you use warm, soapy water coupled with a soft bristled toothbrush to gently scrub as this is the safest way to clean emeralds.