Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone for May, and it is the gemstone of the 20th and 35th anniversaries.

The gemstone’s lush green has soothed souls and excited imaginations since antiquity. Its name comes from the ancient Greek word for green, “smaragdus.” Rome’s Pliny the Elder described the gem in his Natural History: “…nothing greens greener” was his verdict. He described the use of emerald by early lapidaries, who “have no better method of restoring their eyes than by looking at the emerald, its soft, green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude.” Even today, green is known to relieve stress and eye strain.