Product Description
FOUND IN: COLOMBIA, BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA, ZIMBABWE, RUSSIA, & USA.
Emerald is the most precious stone in the beryl group. The name emerald comes from the Greek “smaragdos” via the Old French “esmeralde”, and really just means ‘green gemstone.’ The wonderful green color of emerald is unparalleled in the gem world. It is not surprising then that emerald is classified as one of the traditional four precious stones along with sapphire, ruby and diamond. Emerald is the birthstone for May and for commemorating the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
Emerald derives it’s glorious green color from the presence of chromium and vanadium. Emeralds are rarely flawless, therefore stones are often enhanced by oiling them to hide the imperfects. As well, the step cut (or emerald cut) is used to maximize the stone.
Ancient mythology teaches us that the Emerald was associated with the Mercury, who was known to be the messengers of the gods, and of travel. It thus makes perfect sense that the Emerald is commonly referred to as the Travelers Protection Stone.
A lesser known “odd” fact of the Emerald is that when subjected to heat, it will actually sweat or expel water. Ancient writings speak of this extraordinary phenomenon.
Innumerable fantastic stories have grown up around this magnificent gem. The Incas and Aztecs of South America, where the best emeralds are still found today, regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. However, probably the oldest known finds were once made near the Red Sea in Egypt. These gemstone mines, already exploited by Egyptian pharaohs between 3000 and 1500 B.C. and later referred to as ‘Cleopatra’s Mines’, had already been exhausted by the time they were rediscovered in the early 19th century. Written many centuries ago, the Vedas, the holy scriptures of the Indians, say of the precious green gems and their healing properties: ‘Emeralds promise good luck…’ and ‘The emerald enhances the well-being…’. So it is no wonder that the treasure chests of Indian maharajas and maharanis contained wonderful emeralds.
METAPHYSICAL:
Emerald, being a stone of love and romance, will bring joy, enhance emotions, memory, faith and clairvoyance. It is said to benefit one’s intuition, promoting communication though truthfulness. Sacred stone to the goddess Venus and associated with the Heart Chakra, it is told to preserve love, as well as a symbol of hope. Considered by many to be a great stone of prophecy, bringing wisdom and reason to the wearer. For many, Emerald acts like a tranquilizer for one’s trouble mind.
Emeralds will aid one in recovery after an infectious illness, treating the sinuses, lungs, and muscles. Said to improve vision and to have a detoxifying effect on one’s liver.
Said to both stimulate one’s mental capacity as well as enhancing one’s memory, the Emerald helps to combine ones intelligence with discernment, allow for the only choice to be available to be the right choice. Emeralds are known to heal both emotional love and the physical heart. It is a powerful energy stone, strengthening the eyes, heart and immune system as well as the nervous system. Considered a stone of regeneration and recovery, assisting one in healing negative emotions.
A stone of wisdom, love, and great harmony, an Emerald shall be a bridge between two people when the gem is given in love. Said to help one appreciate and enjoy life to its fullest.
SCIENTIFIC:
Color: Emerald Green, Light Green, Yellow Green, Dark Green
Color of streak: White
Moh’s hardness: 7½-8
Specific gravity: 2.67-2.78
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Small Conchoidal, Uneven, Brittle
Crystal system: Hexagonal (Trigonal), Hexagonal Prisms, Columnar
Chemical composition: AI2Be3(Si6O18) Aluminium Beryllium Silicate
Transparency: Transparent to Opaque
Refractive index: 1.576-1.582
Double refraction: +0.006
Dispersion: 0.014
Pleochroism: Definite, Green, Blue-Green to Yellow-Green
Absorption spectrum: 6835, 6806, 6620, 6460, 6370, 6060,5940, 6300-5800, 4774, 4725
Fluorescence: Usually None
