May’s birthstone is emerald, which is even more rare than diamonds. It is a beryl, with just a bit of Chromium Oxide to turn it green. I read that the same Chromium Oxide turns corundum red in ruby. Such a small addition makes amazing color changes!
I associate emerald’s with L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, which I loved reading as a girl. The Emerald City was the capital of Oz. I also lived in Eugene, OR while attending graduate school in creative writing, and the University of Oregon newspaper was the Oregon Daily Emerald.
Emerald is the green of greens, intense, vibrant. If you are a May birthday or green is calling to you, check out my Nutmeg Designs Etsy Shop.
Oh, wow, the hues are just wonderful. Just about every time I visit here, I wind up wishing I could be home quilting! This piece is a true inspiration!