01 May 2020 As one of the ‘big four’ precious gemstones - alongside diamond, sapphire and ruby - May’s birthstone, emerald, is one of the most valuable gems on earth.
Historically, the finest emeralds came from Colombia: they are prized for their vivid green colour and rarity. More recently, emeralds have been mined in Zambia.
Emeralds contain naturally occurring inclusions known as ‘jardins’. Clear emerald crystals that haven’t been heat-treated or oil-filled are incredibly rare.
As one of the more fragile gemstones, emeralds must be treated with care and aren’t suitable for everyday wear. Like all precious gemstones, emeralds are believed to possess healing qualities.
Read more on telegraph.co.uk