Emerald

Emeralds are comparatively soft gemstones, rating a 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs hardness scale (compare with diamonds at 10), and are expected to contain visible inclusions that make them susceptible to fragmentation under intense heat or vibration. As such, your Emerald jewelry will require care in setting and handling to avoid chips and scratches. The Emerald should be washed with soap and warm water using a gentle cloth.

The stone of choice for royalty dating back to Cleopatra, historically prized across cultural boundaries all over the world, the timeless emerald symbolizes life and romance, with a legacy of mystical lore. From the Greek smargados, or "green gem", the emerald is a variety of beryl gemstone colored in varied shades of green by traces of chromium and vanadium. Iron present in the gem will give it a bluer cast (and in fact is responsible for the color of an aquamarine, also a variety of beryl).