May's birthstone is the emerald, a remarkable gemstone that signifies rejuvenation, affection, and good fortune. With a stunning and rich green color, the emerald has always been loved by royals, celebrities, and gem lovers. This jewel is not only of incredible importance from a historical viewpoint, but it is also immensely precious in the domain of jewelry.

Emeralds have an interesting story behind them that is more than 4000 years old. The ancient Egyptians worshiped emeralds, and Cleopatra was known to be fond of this gem. She used to wear emerald jewelry throughout her life and owned emerald mines to ensure her obsession never came to an end. Both Greeks and Romans regarded emeralds in high esteem and associated them with Venus - goddess of love and beauty.

Emeralds are part of the beryl family. Their deep green color comes from the presence of chromium and vanadium2. They can be found in light green to richly deep green varieties, with vivid and intense color being the most sought after. Unlike diamonds, which are graded on clarity, emeralds tend to have natural inclusions, “jardin” inclusions (French for garden), which are not cleared during the polishing process. These inclusions are not imperfections but rather distinctive features which add to the appeal of the gemstone.

Emeralds have been believed to have strong properties of metaphysical nature. These features are commonly attributed to emeralds: 

Love and Harmony: What more can we ask for aside from smooth love lines in “The Stone of Successful Love” Stone? It is believed emerald can strengthen bonds whilst creating emotionally stable individuals. 

Prosperity and Wisdom: It is a widely accepted belief that putting on an emerald increases one’s intellect, protective wisdom, and even financial prosperity. 

Healing and Rejuvenation: The stone is reputed to aid in the healing of the heart and eyes. More so, emeralds are believed to stimulate renewal and vigor. 

Spiritual Growth: It is said that this stone deepens one's awareness while simultaneously increasing their intuitiveness.

Emeralds are exquisite gemstones frequently chosen for rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. To maximize their appeal, these gemstones are often set in yellow or white gold due to their vibrant colors. Jewelry pieces adorned with emeralds, whether as centerpiece gemstones or in combination with diamonds, radiate delightful luxury and sophistication. 

Emeralds fall in the 7.5 - 8 range on the Mohs scale of hardness which makes them durable, but not as fragile as one would expect. While they are emeralds are timeless pieces of beauty it is essential to ensure proper care for these magical gems to continue looking splendid. 

- *Do not expose to harsh chemicals or extreme heat/cold*

- *Clean using warm water, mild soap and soft brush*

- *Keep in separate containers from other pieces of jewelry to avoid scratches*

These *emerald* gemstones are a great gift for those who celebrate a birthday in May or to anyone who simply appreciates exquisite jewelry. Shiv Shambu is located at 580 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1136, New York, NY 10036 of you can find a piece that compliments your beauty the most at www.shivshambu.net.