Spotlight on: Emerald, the May Birthstone

Ah the Emerald, with its captivating and energising green hues, is the birthstone for those lucky enough to be born in May. 

This prized gem is one of the four precious gemstones, the others being diamond, ruby and sapphire.  A fine grade emerald may be more valuable, carat for carat than a diamond.

Emerald is a variety of the mineral Beryl, which comes in many colours, the most well known being the pale blue which we know as Aquamarine.  Pink beryl is known as Morganite and yellow is Heliodor.

To be considered an Emerald, the stone must be a certain depth and colour of green, lighter ones would typically be called Green Beryl.