With its lush green hue, emerald is one of the most treasured gemstones all over the world. Having said that, the stone’s beauty isn’t the only reason for its fame. The gem is also known for its rich history and representation.
Don’t believe it? Keep reading…
Firstly, what is it?
A member of the ‘big three’ coloured gemstones, emerald derives its name from the Persian word for green. It is one of the most sought-after jewels from the beryl family due to its enthraling colour, representations, and hardness.
For the most part, this stone is mined in Zimbabwe, Brazil, Zambia, and Ethiopia but the most pristine ones come from Colombia.
Some backstory…
Emeralds have enjoyed a prominent place in society throughout history.
In fact, the Incas used them in their religious ceremonies for over 500 years. They also embellished their fine jewellery pieces with this stone.
The jewel’s magnificence even enthraled Queen Cleopatra who often donned emerald jewellery in and out of court.
Egyptians valued the stone’s beauty so much so that they often buried their dead with it in order to give the person everlasting youth in the afterlife.
In Roman mythology, the jewel was always associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. It was also said that Emperor Nero himself watched all his gladiator fights through an emerald as the calming colour soothed his eyes.
Emeralds were also of religious significance to the Rabbinic Jews. According to their legends, God bestowed King Solomon with four precious gems which would enable him to control all the creations in the world. Emeralds were said to be one of those stones and were primarily used to protect the wearer from evil spirits and allow them to predict the future.
Also Read: What Does an Emerald Engagement Ring Symbolize?
What does it represent today?
For many, emerald is considered to be the symbol of rebirth. It is also believed to represent good fortune, youth, balance, growth, peace, and foresight.
While there is no scientific evidence to back up emerald’s ability to enhance these attributes, the symbolisms do add to the popularity of the stone.
Why is it famous?
Besides its representation, emerald is famous for the following reasons:
1. Spectacular colour
Needless to say, the gem’s astounding hue is one of its biggest selling points. Not only does it complement almost every outfit, but also gives the wearer an air of regality that can’t be replicated by any other gemstone.
2. Fit for everyday use
Emerald boasts a solid 7.5 – 8 score on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This means that the stone is relatively tough and can handle the brunt of daily life. The hardness coupled with the gem’s captivating hue has made men’s and women’s emerald wedding rings extremely popular among couples.
3. A niche gemstone
As touched upon before, this gem, along with ruby and sapphire makes up the ‘Big Three’ coloured jewels. Additionally, the stone is one of the precious jewels available in the world. These exclusive titles have elevated Emerald’s standing and have placed it in a niche of its own.
4. It is a birthstone
Birthstones are desired and treasured by several people due to their emotional appeal. The same is true for emerald which is the official birthstone for the month of May.
As seen throughout this article, emerald is truly a wondrous gem. Its various attributes fuse to create a perfect piece that suits any individual. If you haven’t made it a part of your personal collection yet, we highly recommend doing so.
Also Read: Why Are Emerald Rings Back in Trend?
