Emerald, the birthstone for May, is perhaps the best known variety of beryl (others being aquamarine and morganite). Although hard-wearing, emeralds can be brittle, so some extra care is needed when wearing them. Avoid detergents and alcohol (so no cleaning your emeralds in gin!) and hard knocks. With a little extra TLC, emeralds can be worn and enjoyed for generations. To clean, we recommend using warm water and a soft brush (we use an electric toothbrush), and don't immerse in water for long periods of time.