May Birthstone Jewelry - Emerald

Emerald is the most popular of the Beryl family of stones.  Emerald comes from the Greek word Smaragdos meaning "green stone."  Emeralds are known as the 'Color of Life or Spring'.  Emerald is a 7.5 to 8 on Moh's scale of Mineral Hardness.  Most emeralds are clouded by inclusions (marks inside the stone) which give evidence of their genuine origin.  Flawless stones are very rare.  The inclusions inside an emerald are often called 'jardin' which is French for garden.
 
Metaphysical Properties:  Emerald enables the wearer to give and receive unconditional love.  It is said to promote friendship, peace and harmony.