Among other reasons, those born in May have the emerald as their birthstone to represent the greenest month of the year. Derived from the Greek word “smaragdos,” which was a term applied to many green stones, the emerald is part of the Beryl family of gems that also includes aquamarine. While it is rare to find emeralds without small flaws and inclusions, they are still considered one of the most valuable gems on earth. Those people who like the color of the emerald but not the price will generally choose a manufactured stone, which comes with the beauty and not the price tag. They range from light to deep green, and their color can be altered with high enough temperatures. The most valuable emeralds are mined in Columbia, while in the United States you only find them in North Carolina. Emeralds are associated with several different beliefs about the powers they hold. For example, while early Christians saw it as a symbol for the resurrection of Christ, ancient Romans associated the emerald with Venus because the green color symbolized the reproductive forces of nature. Regardless of other beliefs, emeralds are prized in every society for their stunning color and distinctiveness.
