Green emerald

This exquisite gemstone with its distinctive bright green colour belongs to the beryl family. Its intense green is caused by the presence of chromium. An emerald is rarely pure: its inclusions are known as "the garden of the emerald". The clearer the gemstone, the more valuable it is.

Emerald has a long history in jewellery. The Aztec and Inca civilisations believed in its spiritual power. Emerald symbolises eternal youth and beauty, which made it Cleopatra's favourite gemstone. The crown jewels of Iran are said to hold the largest emerald collection in the world, and iconic actresses such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich wore stunning emerald jewellery.

Celebrities with an emerald engagement ring include Jackie O, Halle Berry, Victoria Beckham and Dakota Johnson.