May Emeralds: History and Lore - Joseph's Jewelry Store and Jewelry Repair Stuart FL

Emeralds are meant to symbolize by today’s standards the birthstone for May. But for May years prior they were reserved for the high-power authorities of the world. Known as the Jewel of Kings, the emerald a prized possession of Cleopatra! She was well known to decorate her place and herself with the stone. In those times the emerald represented fertility and immortality. When the Spanish had conquest to the Americas they found an abundance of gold and emeralds! They believed they had found the holy land according to history.

“Emerald’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 emerald in his Natural History, published in the first century AD: “…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, the color green is known to relieve stress and eye strain.”