Revering The Emerald

     As the rare and beautiful birthstone of May, the emerald has brought honor and status to royalty and deities throughout cultures both ancient and modern worldwide. A gem that encompasses wit and foresight, eloquence and power; a gem that Cleopatra herself adorned and gifted to foreign dignitaries. A gem that mystified a slew of ancient cultures from Arabs to the Spanish, as emeralds were thought to cut through spells, dampen lust, and void someone of poison and dysentery; a gem that was rumored to coat entire walls of palaces in India. With its reputation in the ancient world, it's no wonder experts still refer to the emerald "The Jewel of Kings"...

     The emerald is a beryl gemstone which gets its fetching green color from the impurities such as chromium, vanadium, or a combination of both. Depending on the region it comes from, such as Zambia, this precious gem may contain more iron than usual and thus can even give off a more blue hue. The emerald's deep green color is also said to be soothing to those who are prone to eye strain from long hours on the job. So, if you tend to be rubbing your eyes after a long day of staring at the computer screen, a nice emerald on the desktop might just be the cure you need!
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