Emeralds are one of the most beloved of gems, with a colorful and long history, earning it the rank of “precious” stone, along with diamond, ruby and sapphire. Emeralds belong to the beryl mineral family and the only gemstone besides topaz that is listed as in all of the ancient birthstone table. The gem is the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary, it is also used as a 20th and 35th wedding anniversary stone. Traces of chromium give emerald its green color, the same element that gives ruby its fiery redness. Other beryl minerals include pale blue aquamarine, pink morganite, golden helidor and pale green beryl. Technically, light green beryl material cannot carry the title emerald, the color of true emeralds have been described as the rich, translucent green of new grass glistening after a rain.