Emerald

Emerald defines the color green.  Its captivating green color has been loved by many for ages.  Cleopatra was known to be a keen emerald lover and used it often in her royal adornments.

Emerald belongs to the mineral species beryl, same as aquamarine.  It comes in different shades of green.  The GIA has devised a set of masterstone to define the emerald color range, which is typically green to bluish green.

The most expensive emeralds come from Columbia, with the best colored ones coming from Muzo.  Emeralds need special care as they are more susceptible to scratches and are commonly treated by dyeing or filling fracture by oil or wax.  Always clean your emeralds with mild soap and soft brush.  Do not put it in a ultrasonic cleaner or the vibrations may cause the filler to leak.

Emerald is the birthstone of May.