We are excited to share with you a brief history of one of the most stunning gemstones - the emerald.
Emeralds are the birthstone for May and are known for their rich green color and striking beauty. The name "emerald" comes from the Greek word "smaragdus," which means "green gem." Emeralds have been highly prized for thousands of years and have played an important role in many different cultures and civilizations.
One of the earliest known sources of emeralds is in ancient Egypt, where they were highly valued for their beauty and believed to have powerful protective properties. They were often used in jewelry and decorative art, and were even buried with the dead in order to protect them in the afterlife.
In ancient Rome, emeralds were associated with the goddess Venus and were believed to enhance fertility and promote love and fidelity. The Roman emperor Nero was known to watch gladiator games through a pair of emerald lenses, believing that it would soothe his eyes and improve his vision.
During the Middle Ages, emeralds were prized by royalty and the wealthy elite, and were often used in crowns and other regal jewelry. They continued to be popular throughout the Renaissance and into the modern era, and were especially valued by the Spanish conquistadors who sought them out in South America.
Today, emeralds are still highly valued for their beauty and rarity. They are used in a wide range of jewelry and decorative art, and are considered to be one of the most precious and coveted gemstones in the world.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about the history of the May birthstone - the emerald.
Best regards,
Silver Tides Jewelry