Taurus Birthstone - The Definitive Guide

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by Suzanne Sachs • 5 min read

THE BASICS --

While emerald is the birthstone for Taurus (April 20 – May 20), its radiant green hue is what truly captivates and symbolizes this sign. The rich, vibrant shades of green, are a reflection of the Taurus connection to nature and growth. As you explore the enchanting world of emerald, its captivating color draws you in, making it a gemstone you'll want to wear every day. Its timeless elegance and versatility, combined with its lush green beauty, make emerald the perfect choice for any occasion, whether you're celebrating a Taurus or simply appreciating its stunning charm.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW--

In this guide, we will explain the following:

• About Emerald
• Factors to Consider When Choosing an Emerald
• Color
• Healing Properties
  
• Inclusions
• Structure
• Meaning and Symbolism
• Love and Relationships
• Growth and Renewal
• Protection and Healing
  
• Mines
• History
• Durability and Care Tips
• Choosing the Taurus Birthstone

About Emerald

The birthstone for Taurus, the zodiac sign covering birthdays from April 20th to May 20th, is the emerald. This exquisite gemstone is renowned for its rich green color and is believed to bring qualities of love, growth, harmony, and wisdom to those born under the Taurus sign. The emerald's symbolism aligns with Taurus's characteristics, such as loyalty, practicality, and a deep connection to nature. It's often worn as jewelry or cherished for its meaningful attributes that resonate with Taurus individuals.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Taurus Birthstone

Color

Taurus is traditionally associated with emerald as its primary birthstone. The color of emerald is a rich, vibrant green. This lush green color is highly prized and often described as "emerald green." Emerald green symbolizes renewal, growth, and abundance, aligning well with the qualities associated with Taurus individuals. Emeralds are typically associated with a rich and vibrant green color that ranges from a light, almost translucent green to a deep, lush green. The most desirable emeralds exhibit a deep and intense green color that is often described as "emerald green." This hue is highly saturated and captivating.

Healing Properties

The Taurus birthstone, traditionally associated with emerald, is believed to possess a range of healing properties and benefits. Emotionally, emerald is thought to help release negative emotions, foster inner peace, and promote emotional resilience, aiding individuals in expressing their feelings more effectively. Physically, it has been linked to eye health, believed to alleviate eye strain and enhance visual acuity, while also supporting the heart, spine, and muscles, making it a powerful symbol of overall well-being.

Inclusions

Inclusions in emeralds, as in any gemstone, are unique features or imperfections naturally trapped within the crystal during its formation. These intrinsic attributes can include tiny internal irregularities that impact the gem’s transparency and overall clarity. Some emeralds may appear cloudy or hazy due to a concentration of these inclusions, while surface-reaching inclusions, often called fractures, feathers, or fissures, extend from the surface into the interior. To enhance clarity, these surface-reaching inclusions are sometimes filled with oils or resins, improving the emerald's overall appearance and making it more visually appealing.

Structure

Emerald, part of the beryl mineral family, gets its vibrant green color from trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium, which replace some of the aluminum atoms in its crystal structure. These elements are responsible for the gemstone’s signature hue, with shades varying based on the concentration of these impurities, giving each emerald a unique character.

Meaning and Symbolism

The Taurus birthstone, traditionally associated with the emerald holds special meanings and symbolism that resonate with Taurus individuals and their unique characteristics.

Love and Relationships

The emerald is often associated with love, compassion, and harmony. It is believed to promote understanding and strengthen relationships. Taurus individuals, known for their loyalty and devotion, may find the emerald's energy resonating with their deep connections to loved ones.

Growth and Renewal

The lush green color of the emerald symbolizes growth, vitality, and renewal. Taurus individuals are often associated with nature and the earth, and the emerald's connection to growth can reflect Taurus's connection to stability and their love for all things natural.

Protection and Healing

Historically, emeralds were believed to offer protective and healing qualities. Taurus individuals have a nurturing nature, and the emerald's symbolism aligns with their desire to provide comfort and support to those around them.

Celebrity

For those who love the glamour of Hollywood and the movies, you can enjoy an emerald ring knowing it is a favorite of many celebrities and royalty. This style has adorned the fingers of top names including Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry and Jackie Kennedy.

Mines

Emeralds are mined in various regions around the world, each known for producing stones with unique colors and qualities. Colombian emeralds, especially from the Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez mines, are known for their deep green color and exceptional quality. Brazilian emeralds offer a wide range of green hues and are prized for their transparency. Zambian emeralds, often with a bluish undertone, come from the Kagem mine, one of the largest producers globally, known for its rich color and clarity. Madagascar also produces high-quality emeralds, known for their wide range of green tones and good transparency, adding to the gemstone’s global appeal.

History

Emeralds have a rich history spanning thousands of years, cherished for their beauty and mystical properties. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle praised their virtues, while medieval European royalty valued them as symbols of status and power. In the 1970s, emeralds became especially popular in bold, statement jewelry, driven by celebrities and designers. Today, there is growing awareness of the ethical challenges in emerald mining, with increasing efforts to promote more sustainable and responsible practices, reinforcing the gemstone's timeless appeal.

Emerald Durability & Care Tips

Proper care is essential for preserving the beauty and longevity of your emerald ring. Regular professional inspections can help identify any potential weaknesses in the setting, as emeralds, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, can be prone to inclusions and fractures. These gemstones are also sensitive to heat and strong light, so it’s best to avoid prolonged exposure. Clean your emerald ring with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, but avoid ultrasonic cleaners, as they can damage stones with significant inclusions.

Choosing The Taurus Birthstone

Discover the beauty in the Taurus birthstone and you'll soon agree that every emerald ring has precious qualities that make it charming and unique. Explore our collection of emerald rings and find the perfect piece that reflects your unique style and story.

Suzanne Sachs

Suzanne has always believed vintage rings can change lives. She's been in the jewelry industry for over 35 years, working with vintage jewelers, diamond dealers, diamond cutters, and gemologists. Suzanne started Artdecodiamonds in 2000 and understood the demand for vintage rings throughout the world. She ultimately started VintageDiamondRing.com in 2014, and understands each vintage ring is a reflection of you – your history, your relationships, your style, your elegance and is honored to have the opportunity to help you showcase your flair in a unique and exquisite way.