The emerald, a vibrant green gemstone, is prominently recognized as the birthstone following diamond in traditional sequences. While the provided sources primarily focus on its identification as an answer to a crossword puzzle clue, they consistently define it as a highly valued, green variety of beryl. This article will explore the identification of emerald as a birthstone, its basic definition as a gemstone, and its association with the diamond, drawing solely from the available information.
A Gem Defined by Color and Value
The sources unequivocally identify the emerald as a “green transparent form of beryl.” This definition highlights two key characteristics: its color and its mineral composition. Beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, and the green coloration is due to trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. The sources emphasize that emeralds are “highly valued as a gemstone,” indicating a long-standing recognition of its worth and desirability. Further description notes it as “a transparent piece of emerald that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem,” and even references the “green color of an emerald” as a defining feature.
The Crossword Connection and Cultural Recognition
The consistent appearance of “emerald” as the answer to the crossword clue “Birthstone after diamond” suggests a cultural understanding of a specific order among birthstones. The sources indicate this clue appeared in The New York Times crossword puzzle on September 24, 2022, and in other publications like the Wall Street Journal, Universal, LA Times Daily, The Telegraph Cross Atlantic, Newsday, and The Telegraph Plusword between September 26 and October 1, 2025. This repeated association reinforces the emerald’s position immediately following the diamond in a common birthstone sequence. The sources do not elaborate on the origins of this sequence or the historical reasons for this particular ordering.
Beyond the Clue: Additional Associations
While the primary focus of the sources is the crossword clue, some offer tangential connections. The inclusion of “DIAMOND” as a keyword definition alongside “AFTER” and “EMERALD” suggests a deliberate pairing of the two gemstones. Other clues and answers listed alongside the primary clue, such as “SUIT Diamonds, e.g.” and “CARAT Diamond measure?” demonstrate the diamond’s prominence as a benchmark for gemstones, potentially contributing to its position at the beginning of the birthstone sequence. The mention of “LOZENGE Diamond shape” further reinforces this connection.
Limited Scope of Available Information
It is crucial to acknowledge the limited scope of the provided sources. They are exclusively focused on the gemstone’s role as an answer to a crossword puzzle clue and provide only a basic definition. There is no information regarding the emerald’s geological formation, mining locations, historical uses, symbolism, metaphysical properties, or care and cleaning instructions. The sources do not delve into the history of birthstones or the reasons behind the specific ordering of gemstones. The information is restricted to the identification of emerald as a green beryl and its association with the diamond in a crossword puzzle context.
A Note on Source Reliability
The sources consist primarily of crossword puzzle answer websites and a single mention in The New York Times. While The New York Times is a reputable publication, the context here is a crossword puzzle, not a gemological treatise. The other sources are dedicated to providing crossword solutions and rely on aggregating answers from various puzzles. Therefore, the information presented is accurate within the context of crossword puzzles but lacks the depth and authority of dedicated gemological resources. The repeated confirmation of "emerald" as the answer across multiple sources lends some reliability to this specific fact, but it does not establish the sources as authoritative on broader gemological topics.
Conclusion
The available sources consistently identify the emerald as the birthstone following the diamond, primarily through its repeated appearance as the answer to a specific crossword puzzle clue. It is defined as a green, transparent form of beryl and recognized as a highly valued gemstone. However, the information is limited to this specific association and a basic definition, lacking any detailed gemological, historical, or cultural context. The sources serve as a confirmation of a culturally recognized sequence of birthstones but do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the emerald itself.