5月の誕生石(エメラルド&翡翠)

May birthstone (emerald & jade)


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Emerald, one of the five great gemstones, captivates people with its emerald green color.
Jade, a symbol of kingship that has been highly valued in the East since ancient times.

エメラルド翡翠(ひすい)
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Gemstone name Emerald Jadeite
Mineral name Beryl Jadeite
Japanese name jade, green jade jadeite
Origin of the name It originates from the Greek word "smaragdos," meaning green gemstone. The name originates from the kingfisher, which inhabits clear streams and has beautiful blue-green feathers.
color green Green, lavender, orange, etc.
Mohs hardness 7.5-8.0 6.5-7.0
Place of origin Colombia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc. Myanmar, Japan, Mexico, etc.
Stone meanings Wealth, prosperity, good fortune, happiness noble/healthy
effect Mental and physical stability, successful relationships, and a happy marriage. Success and prosperity, relief from stress and anxiety
Maintenance Wipe with a soft cloth/Store individually away from direct sunlight Wash gently with a soft brush in lukewarm water with a mild detergent.
others Emeralds often contain inclusions and are usually treated with oil impregnation, but those with few inclusions and a beautiful appearance are traded at a high price as "non-oil emeralds." While "jade" usually refers to jadeite (hard jade), be aware that nephrite (soft jade) is a similar stone.

The birthstone for May is a green gemstone that evokes the image of fresh greenery.
When it comes to representative colored gemstones, many people probably think of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, right?The emerald that Cleopatra fell in love withIt is a popular gemstone, designated as the birthstone for three zodiac signs: Taurus, Cancer, and Capricorn, and also as the gemstone for the 55th anniversary of marriage.
Another one isJapan's national stoneJadeite, designated as a national treasure, has long been popular, especially in the East, and has been highly valued as a symbol of emperors and kings. Nowadays, many overseas customers also visit our store seeking jadeite. In addition to being a birthstone, it is also popular as the zodiac stone for Pisces, and for the 20th wedding anniversary (porcelain anniversary) and the 35th wedding anniversary (jadeite/coral anniversary).
Here are the birthstones for May, so please take a look for reference.

▼Click here to learn more about other birthstones

1.Emerald

Characteristics of Emeralds

エメラルドEmerald green is a beautiful green gemstone, but it often contains many inclusions and is usually treated with impregnation oil. The mineral is beryl, the same as aquamarine and morganite, and its Japanese names are Suigyoku and Ryokugyoku. Because it contains many inclusions, it is prone to chipping and requires careful handling. For this reason, the emerald cut, a unique cut for emeralds, was developed to round off the edges and make it less prone to chipping. It is mined in Colombia and Africa, but Colombian emeralds, which are deep and beautiful and not blackish, are particularly famous. Zambian emeralds are highly transparent and are also beautiful and well-regarded.Oil-free"Emeralds are rare and trade at high prices."


The origin of emeralds

The word "emerald" originates from the ancient Greek word "smaragdus," meaning green. The pronunciation has since changed to the current "emerald." Emeralds frequently appear in historical myths and legends, and are famous for being the protective stone of Alexander the Great and the stone that Cleopatra fell in love with.


Emerald effect

The meaning of the stone is "Wealth, prosperity, good fortune, happiness".
Emerald isSymbol of loveIt is believed to bestow wisdom and help maintain balance in mind and body, leading to a fulfilling life.
This is recommended for those who desire success in love and a happy married life.


Emerald care

Emeralds are very delicate gemstones with many inclusions. Basically, after using them, gently wipe them with a soft cloth.
Since it may chip if it comes into contact with other jewelry, or crack if exposed to sunlight as the oil treatment dries out, store it individually away from direct sunlight.
Also, absolutely avoid ultrasonic testing. There are many inclusions, and the oil may leak out, potentially causing the object to crack.


Hojudo offers a wide selection of emerald jewelry. Please be sure to check out the Hojudo website.
▼Click here for emerald jewelry



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have approximately 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstones, which you can pick up and examine. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, our prices are reasonable, less than half of the market price. We do not engage in any high-pressure sales tactics, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so please don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation to visit our store >
First, I'll ask a question via email.
Contact Us >




2.Jadeite

Characteristics of Jadeite

翡翠(ひすい)Japan's national stoneJade is also designated as a precious stone. It is found in Japan and is said to have been used since the Jomon period.
The mineral name is jadeite, and its Japanese name is hard jade. It is often called "jade" in English, but there are two main types, and although they look very similar, they are completely different. One of them is the one discussed here.Jade (genuine jade)inJadeiteIt is said to be used in jewelry and is expensive. The other is called nephrite/soft jade, which is a different mineral from jadeite and is completely different. It is mainly produced in China and is relatively inexpensive.
Many people mistakenly believe that jude is the same as genuine jadeite, so caution is advised.
Myanmar is the largest producer of jade, with Japan and Mexico being the other two major producers. In Japan, the Itoigawa area is famous for producing high-quality jade.
While it's strongly associated with the color green, it also comes in other colors such as lavender, orange, and white.
Its low haze and rich, deep green color make it popular, and it fetches high prices in the market.


The origin of jade

The gemstone jade is named after the kingfisher (jade), which lives in clear streams and has beautiful blue-green feathers.
Furthermore, the English word "Jade" originates from the Spanish "piedra de ijada" (stone of the waist), suggesting that jade was used to treat back pain and other ailments.


The effects of jade

The meaning of the stone is "noble/healthy".
In the East, it was considered a symbol of emperors and kings,Stone of LongevityJade has long been highly valued for various reasons. It is said to bring the five virtues (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness) and to help cultivate an ideal personality through calmness and patience.
This is recommended for people in professions that involve frequent interaction with others, such as sales, and for those who wish to improve their mental and emotional well-being.


Jadeite care

Jade is a soft and delicate gemstone, so care must be taken when handling it.
After use, wipe with a soft cloth. Store separately from other jewelry, away from direct sunlight, as direct sunlight may cause discoloration.
To clean the jadeite, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a little mild detergent (dish soap). Then, dip a soft brush (a toothbrush with soft bristles) into the detergent and gently dab the jadeite. Avoid scrubbing, as this can damage the jadeite or loosen the prongs holding it in place. The key is to dab it gently. After washing, rinse the jadeite with lukewarm water.
Ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended for jade. The vibrations of the ultrasound can affect internal inclusions and surface irregularities, causing cracks.


Hojudo offers a wide selection of jade jewelry. Please be sure to check out the Hojudo website.
▼Click here for jade jewelry



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have approximately 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstones, which you can pick up and examine. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, our prices are reasonable, less than half of the market price. We do not engage in any high-pressure sales tactics, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so please don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation to visit our store >
First, I'll ask a question via email.
Contact Us >