The precious stone of the month of May
May, a month of colors and scents, of lush trees and unexpected rains. The month of pink and green, mild temperatures, and the first summer clothes. The precious stone of the month of May, which characterizes this wonderful month, is also one of the most appreciated in jewelry: it is the emerald, with an intense green that reminds us of the shades of meadows and plants we encounter on our walks.
The precious stone of May: the Emerald
We have already talked about this beautiful gem in this post. The Emerald, in fact, from the Greek "smaragdos" (green precious stone) is one of the most important gems in the world of jewelry, distinguished by its bright green hue. Its particular color arises from the combination inside it of chromium, vanadium, and iron which, depending on the amounts, color the gem in different shades of green. Today we discover some more curiosities about this wonderful stone that characterizes the month of May!
Types of emerald
Every emerald is a unique stone, whose color varies depending on the inclusions that may be inside it. Emeralds are indeed defined as true "gardens," Jardin; based on the different inclusions. Many emeralds, for example, can have a yellowish undertone, but also wonderful black shades, which give the emerald a starry appearance.
The Chalk emerald
The Chalk emerald comes from Colombia and its original weight was 38.4 carats. It possesses an extraordinary transparency that gives it a beautiful velvety green color. It is said to have belonged to the Maharaja of Baroda (India) and that he used it as a gem in a necklace of emeralds and diamonds. However, it became famous when the renowned jeweler Harry Winston set it in a beautiful ring that was donated by the Chalk family to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington. It can now be admired publicly, mounted on a splendid gold and platinum ring.
The Duchess of Angoulême's diadem
Maria Teresa Carlotta of Bourbon was born in Versailles in 1778, the eldest daughter of Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette. She then married the Duke of Angoulême, from whom the name of the diadem derives. And that already says a lot!
The emerald we are talking about is the one that was set in a magnificent tiara, whose history is definitely fascinating. The tiara was commissioned by the Duke of Angoulême as a gift for his wife Maria Teresa, in 1820. The duchess, ten years later, was exiled, leaving the tiara and many other jewels in France, without taking them with her. Many jewels were auctioned off, including the beautiful tiara, after the advent of the Third Republic. The emerald was found in 1960 in an antique shop in Wales. It was exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, until the Louvre in Paris managed to conclude a long negotiation to bring the gem back to its country of origin. Now the wonderful diadem, with as many as 40 emeralds, is in Paris, admired by all.
The Mogul Emerald
The long and ancient Indian tradition regarding jewelry and precious stones is not only about exports but is linked to symbolic and archaic meanings still full of charm today. The Mogul emerald dates back to the late 17th century. It is said to have been mined in Colombia and sold in India. Its peculiarity is the engraving on both sides, made by skilled artisans of the past. On one side, an Islamic prayer written in Arabic characters; on the other, a wonderful floral engraving. It is believed that the marvelous emerald belonged to an officer of the Indian court. After being auctioned and sold for more than 2 million dollars, it is now housed at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
In short: the Emerald is definitely a gem with an ancient charm, which best matches the vivid colors of nature, with the fresh and gentle climate of the month that brings Spring to its peak. The Emerald is definitely one of the precious stones I like the most. And you?
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