Emerald is both May's birthstone and Cleopatra's favorite gem.

May’s birthstone is the extraordinary Emerald. Emeralds were discovered approximately 4000 years ago and have since been prized by connoisseurs and sought by the rich and powerful. Cleopatra herself had an extraordinary collection of emeralds mined at the Red Sea which she wore lavishly.

When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they were surprised to find that the Aztecs and Incas also possessed these gems, and that they used them as cult objects.

Columbia is considered the most important exporter of emeralds because it is here where the biggest and the purest gems have been found. In fact, the worlds largest such crystal of 7052 carats was found in the mines of Cruces in Achaia, Columbia. Besides Columbia, other exceptional emeralds come from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Brazil.

When looking for an emerald, the most important factor to consider is color. The more vivid the green, the more valuable the stone. Experts advise not to be put off by a few fissures, or inclusions, in your stone. It is rare to find a crystal without these natural birthmarks, and they do not detract from the stone's beauty or value as they might with another type of stone. However, these fissures do affect the way you take care of an emerald.

Emeralds will remain beautiful and durable for years if they're taken care of properly. Do what the experts advise: Avoid abrupt temperature changes and contact with rough or sharp surfaces, including those of other gemstones. Store your emeralds in a fabric-lined jewelry box or wrap them in a soft cloth or tissue. To ensure a long and safe life to your stone, go to the jeweler to check the setting at least once a year and also clean the stone.

While there is no official alternate choice for May's birthstone, those seeking a different stone could choose one with an equally vivid shade of green. These include tsavorite garnet, green tourmaline or the less-known, but equally beautiful chrome diopside.

Whether the emerald actually has the power to heal maladies or improve vision as some ancient peoples believed, few can resist its universal beauty. Regarded as one of the rarest and most precious gemstones in the world, a verdant green emerald set into a ring or pendant can bring years of pleasure to the lucky owner.  

You can find a wide array of emerald jewelry at the industry leading distributor, Diamond International.