The May birthstone — emerald — is considered one of the three most desirable colored gemstones available. Alongside rubies and sapphires, emeralds have been mined and used by humans for decoration for ...

Emeralds have, for centuries, captivated empires, royals, and the generally well-heeled and powerful. Egyptian queen Cleopatra was so enamored with the stone that she would carve her likeness into the ...

THAT nervy investors pile into gold is well known: the price of the yellow metal breached $1,900 an ounce again this week. But growing numbers are also venturing farther afield, into gemstones such as ...