Sedona Gem and Mineral Club

Emerald, often coveted by royalty since immemorial, is the birthstone for those born in May.  Its shimmering hues of green symbolize renewal of life and revitalization, akin to the verdant hues of the spring season, which reaches its peak in May.  Emerald is also considered to represent loyalty, friendship, and faithfulness.  Since ancient times, it has been believed to bestow the wearer with prosperity, foresight, and good health, increase one’s intuitive capabilities, ward off epileptic fits, cure fever and stomach ailments, put a stop to bleeding, and guard the wearer from panic.  This real birthstone also signifies patience and wisdom.  For those born in May, wearing emeralds helps to enhance and balance their energies and grants the wearer happiness.  And even if not so, how can you go wrong wearing emeralds!

The Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, had a deep admiration and fascination for the Emerald; it was her most adored gemstone.  She claimed ownership of all Emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.  Egyptian monarchs used emeralds, and these gemstones were buried with the dead in their tombs, too!  There is evidence of Emerald mines in Egypt dating back to 1300 BC, much before the birth of Cleopatra.  Venus, the Roman goddess of Love, was associated with this gemstone since ancient Romans believed that the Emerald embodied all the qualities of Venus: beauty, fertility, and goodness.  Similarly, ancient Greeks wore this green gem in honor of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess who represents fertility, love, and beauty.  The Muzo Indians of Colombia had well-hidden Emerald mines since 500 A.D. The Spanish Conquistadors took nearly twenty years to locate them.