Emerald like aquamarine, is a variety of beryl, a mineral that grows with six sides and up to a foot long in length. Emerald colour can range from light green to a deep rich green. As the birthstone for May, the emerald, is a symbol or rebirth. It is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune and youth. Emerald, derived from the word "smaragdus", means quite literally "green" in Greek.
The deeper or more green an emerald, the more valuable it is. The rarest emeralds will appear to be an intense green-blue. Emeralds are found all over the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. However the emerald was mined in Egypt as early as 330BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.
Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emeralds. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign. The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewellery and in elaborate burials, often burying emeralds with monarchs as symbols of protection. That be said, it is still widely prized by the rich and famous, with Elizabeth Taylor's famous emerald pendant sold for $6.5 million in 2011.
The pieces pictured below to celebrate the May birthstone of Emerald are a Continental gold, silver, rose cut diamond and emerald necklace c.1880; a pair of 1950s 18ct white gold and diamond set bow shaped earrings with polished natural emerald drops; and then rings from left to right are a 1930s platinum, emerald and diamond bombe shaped ring; a traditional 18ct yellow and white gold, emerald and diamond oval cluster ring; an 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a 1.86ct oval emerald; and a platinum and 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a square cut natural emerald c.1960.
Come and visit us in store here at Greene & Greene Antiques to celebrate the May birthstone Emerald and its fabulous colours.
The deeper or more green an emerald, the more valuable it is. The rarest emeralds will appear to be an intense green-blue. Emeralds are found all over the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. However the emerald was mined in Egypt as early as 330BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.
Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emeralds. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign. The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewellery and in elaborate burials, often burying emeralds with monarchs as symbols of protection. That be said, it is still widely prized by the rich and famous, with Elizabeth Taylor's famous emerald pendant sold for $6.5 million in 2011.
The pieces pictured below to celebrate the May birthstone of Emerald are a Continental gold, silver, rose cut diamond and emerald necklace c.1880; a pair of 1950s 18ct white gold and diamond set bow shaped earrings with polished natural emerald drops; and then rings from left to right are a 1930s platinum, emerald and diamond bombe shaped ring; a traditional 18ct yellow and white gold, emerald and diamond oval cluster ring; an 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a 1.86ct oval emerald; and a platinum and 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a square cut natural emerald c.1960.
Come and visit us in store here at Greene & Greene Antiques to celebrate the May birthstone Emerald and its fabulous colours.
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