Emerald

This birthstone for May was believed to have special powers to improve a person's psychic abilities. Emerald, the color of envy, would help reveal the truth of a lover's words. The emerald is a garden of delights. Indeed, the emerald usually has a garden of included crystals trapped within it. Emeralds are always in vogue and always held in the highest esteem. They are often reserved for regal pieces of jewelry encrusted with diamonds or pearls. Small to medium-size stones are faceted in the step-cut (also called the emerald cut) or other popular shapes for rings, pendants, pins and earrings. They are also cut into a dome shape and occasionally carved. Pretty emeralds all in a row make up rich-looking anniversary rings that may be worn alone or combined with diamond circlets.