Emeralds Emeralds have long been prized for their brilliant green beauty. Highly valued and desired, the intense spellbinding green color of emerald is unmatched by any other stone and accounts for its enduring appeal. For centuries only those of great wealth could bestow so priceless a gift - the symbol of faith, kindness and purity. Emerald has been used for decorative purposes for thousands of years. They have beautified crown jewels and adorned some of the oldest royal dynasties. A fine quality emerald of good color and clarity is more valuable than a diamond. For thousands of years, almost all of emeralds came from Egypt. "Cleopatra’s Mines" were worked first by the Egyptians, then by the Romans and the Turks. Egyptian emeralds mined today are small and dark stones. Other sources for this beautiful gemstone are Colombia, Brazil and Africa. The emerald is a member of the Beryl mineral family, together with Aquamarine, Golden Beryl, Goshenite, Bixbite and Morganite. The name for emerald originates from the Greek smaragdos, meaning green stone. Chromium, vanadium, and iron are the trace elements that give emerald its color. The relative amounts and presence or absence of each determines the hue, tone and saturation of an emerald. Generally, the higher the chromium or vanadium content, the more intense the green color. When iron content is comparatively high, emerald is a bluer green. When iron content is relatively low, emerald is a purer green. The most desirable emerald colors are bluish-green to green, with strong to vivid saturation and medium to dark tone. As with other colored stones, a well-trained eye is usually necessary to recognize the often-subtle variations that make significant differences in emerald value. Inclusions are generally accepted in emeralds because all but the rare few have visible inclusions of Mica, Pyrite or Calcite or the "garden" type inclusions. The most prized emeralds are highly transparent, with evenness of color, and with no eye-visible color zoning. The "emerald cut" was developed for the sensitive nature of it’s namesake. Cut corners reduce the risk of the stone being chipped. Many of today’s natural emeralds are strip mined and have been artificially color enhanced. Consumers need to be wary of these treated stones as these treatments are not permanent and will fade over time. Created gemstones are never treated or enhanced in any way and provide an environmentally responsible and economical alternative to mined gems. Created emeralds bear the all the same physical, chemical and optical properties as mined gems at a fraction of the cost. The cut, polished created emerald so clearly duplicates nature’s that special tests are necessary for positive identification. Emerald is the birthstone of May and the 20th and 35th anniversary stone.