Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May, as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus, Gemini and sometimes Cancer. Astrologers also consider emerald a gem of the planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter.

Emerald is a stone of hope and wisdom. Some consider emerald similar to a “magic mirror”, capable of reflecting experiences of a person’s past lives. Because it can reveal the past, the gem is also considered able to reveal the future.

In 15th–16th century Russia, Emerald was considered as a talisman bringing wisdom and serenity often used by mothers and seafarers because it also protects from infidelity. There is a belief that emerald will shatter or crumble if one of the spouses is unfaithful to another. It is also used to prevent or drive away storms.

Emerald helps to treat fever, inflammations, illness of liver, diabetes. It was believed to be very helpful against epilepsy, skin diseases as well as diseases of urinal-genital system of women. It was also said that just looking at this stone before going to sleep could prevent insomnia.

Emeralds can be used to strengthen health and bring longevity. The gem can also protect against snakebites. According to one legend, seeing an Emerald is fatal for poisonous snakes, as they are blinded by it.

One of the quainter anecdotes on emeralds was by the 16th-century historian Brantôme, who referred to the many impressive emeralds the Spanish under Cortez had brought back to Europe from Latin America. On one of Cortez’s most notable emeralds he had engraved Inter Natos Mulierum non sur-rexit mayor (“Among those born of woman there hath not arisen a greater,” Matthew 11:11) which referred to John the Baptist. Brantôme considered engraving such a beautiful and simple product of nature sacrilegious and considered this act the cause for Cortez’s loss of an extremely precious pearl (to which he dedicated a work, A beautiful and incomparable pearl), and even for the death of King Charles IX of France, who died soon after.

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