The May birthstone Emerald has enchanted royalty for centuries, who revered the green stone for its mystical and magical properties – when worn, it was said they had the ability to cure illnesses. Queen Cleopatra is credited with having the world’s largest ever collection of emeralds – she believed the stones brought her clear thought and health throughout her reign – while the Inca emperors would wear them as talismans to ward of negativity and bring peace of mind. It turns out there was some scientific truth to their beliefs – we now know that surrounding yourself with the colour green has been proven to alleviate stress. Here’s our pick of the best emerald jewellery to celebrate May birthdays.