The deeper and more vivid the color of green, the more valuable the gemstone. The most valuable and beautiful Emeralds exhibit an intense bluish hue in addition to their basic bold green color. Emeralds, among the rarest of gems, are almost always found with birthmarks, known as inclusions.
The increases will directly benefit more than 2 million workers, according to The Fairness Project, which partners with minimum wage campaigns across the country. Washington's current $9.47 minimum wage will rise to $13.50 by 2020. One of its major cities -- Seattle -- has already approved a $15 minimum wage. The other three states approved increases to $12 by 2020 -- from $8.31 in Colorado, $8.05 in Arizona, and $7.50 in Maine currently.
Seattle City Council voted Monday to raise the minimum wage to a nation's-highest $15 per hour. Washington already has the highest state minimum wage at 9.32 per hour.