Emerald

Emerald is a beautiful green, well-loved stone. It is used in rings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets. It is a wonderful birthday gift.

Emerald General Information 

Medium to dark green beryl which derives its colour from chromium and vanadium. 

Clean your Emerald with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes, household chemicals and ultrasonic jewellery cleaners.

Emerald is often treated with oil to fill fissures and fractures that are characteristic of emerald. Hence, You should never clean an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner because this oil could be removed or damaged, making the fissures more visible. In addition, do not clean emerald in hot soapy water since it too can remove this oil.

Emerald is often irradiated for clarity.

Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:

 

 
"African emerald" is really green fluorite from South-West Africa
"Cape Emerald" is really prehnite found in South Africa (not to be confused with true emerald from South Africa).
"Evening Emerald" is really peridot.
"Indian emerald" is really green-dyed quartz.
"Medina Emerald" and "Spanish Emerald" are really green glass.
"Mt. Saint Helens Emerald" is green glass that is man made by fusing volcanic ash.
"Scientific Emerald" is really synthetic stones or paste.
"Zerfass Emerald" is synthetic emerald.
"Uralian Emerald" is really green garnet.

Where Emerald is mined

The best known sources include Colombia and Zambia. I went to a closed Emerald mine in Australia. Emeralds can also be found in: Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Russia, USA (North Carolina) and other countries.

Anniversary Gemstone for Emerald

Emerald is the anniversary gemstone for the 20th, 35th and 55th year of marriage, the perfect emblem of an enduring love.

Emerald Mystical Properties

Emerald is said to bring security in love. It allows access to the mystery we hold deepest in our hearts, thereby healing and activating our highest hearts desire. It assists in the healing of eyesight and speech impediments. Emeralds have a tranquilizing affect on the heart and mind, inspiring calm, clear assurance. 

More Emerald Lore 

The Romans loved emeralds because, as ancient scholar Pliny said, "nothing greens greener." Pliny said that emerald was the only gem which delighted the eye without fatiguing it. He said his eyes were restored when gazing at emerald. Emperor Nero wore emerald sunglasses to watch the gladiators. 

The Moguls of India, including Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, loved emeralds so much they inscribed them with sacred text and wore them as talismans. Some of these sacred stones, called Mogul emeralds, can still be seen in museums and collections today. For example, one talismanic emerald is deep green and weighs 78 carats. Around the edge in Persian runs the inscription:

"He who possesses this charm shall enjoy the special protection of God."

According to legend, emeralds strengthen the owner's memory, quicken the intelligence and assist in predicting the future.

Emerald is the US State Gemstone of North Carolina.

Emerald is said to be the Spring Gemstone of the Season.