If you were seeking an article on the history of emeralds, then look no further than this post, which covers everything you need to know about this fascinating gem. For nearly six thousand years, various cultures have been captivated by emerald gemstones. It is so valuable that, carat for carat, a beautiful emerald may be twice as hard and significant as a diamond. According to Indian mythology, the name “marakata,” which means “the green of growing things,” was initially translated from Sanskrit as “marakata.” The term we know today is thought to be derived from an old Persian word that was translated to Latin as “smaragdus,” and was subsequently modified to “emerald.”
Autometamorphism, a natural phenomenon that gives the bare rock its beautiful green colour produces the emerald, a type of beryl. The iron content is responsible for the colour variation. Because of its hardness of 7.5-8 on the Moh’s scale and many inclusions, this gem is a prized property. Its reserves are plentiful in India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, and Columbia, which is the primary supplier of high-quality emeralds.
History of Emeralds
- According to historians, the first evidence of emerald mines can be traced back to Egypt, around 330 BC. Cleopatra is supposed to have been enamored with this stone and frequently wore magnificent emerald jewellery adorned with this valuable gem.
- Emeralds were also buried with mummies by the Ancient Egyptians to ensure that the deceased received eternal youth in the afterlife.
- Emeralds were discovered in North America for the first time in 1997 in the Yukon Territory, while substantial emerald occurrences in the United States and further north are infrequent.
- Although synthetic sapphires and rubies were created in 1907, it wasn’t until 1935 that the American chemist Carroll Chatham successfully grew his first 1-carat Chatham emerald. The Smithsonian Institute now houses this stone.
- The emerald represents maternal love in the Hindu tradition and encourages harmony, sensitivity, and patience.
- The emerald was considered the stone of love, optimism and wisdom in ancient Rome. At the same time, it was the sacred stone of the goddess Venus.
- Emeralds are linked to Mercury, the planet of intelligence, speech, memory, and intuition.
- Emerald removes emotional toxicity, is excellent for meditation, and functions as a protective screen against negative energy.
- Because it is associated with sexuality and fertility, the emerald has historically been used to assist couples who faced issues while conceiving.
- Emerald has been linked to maintaining the neurological, digestive, and respiratory systems.
- One of the fascinating facts about emeralds is that Arab, Hindu, and Spanish doctors have utilised emeralds to treat infections such as diarrhea and food poisoning.
- Many people, even today, believe that this valuable gemstone has the power to shield souls from evil forces.
Also Read: Are Emeralds Rare?
- In modern times, the green stone is acknowledged for restoring physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium. In short, it helps those suffering from depression and emotional problems.
- According to legend, putting an emerald beneath your tongue gives you a glimpse into the future.
- Emeralds are believed to prevent memory loss and improve intuition as well.
- Want to know whether what your boyfriend is saying is true? Emerald was believed to work as a truth potion, determining whether the lover’s vows were sincere or untrue.
- The emerald’s mellow relaxing colour allowed early lapidaries to rest their eyes after a long time of concentration. Emerald is still used to relax and relieve eye strain.
- One of the four recognised valuable gemstones in the world is the beautiful emerald along with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.
- Emerald, like the gemstone aquamarine, is comprised of beryl.
- Due to its lower density, a 1-carat emerald seems larger than a 1-carat diamond.
- Colombia produces the most emeralds, accounting for more than half of all emerald output worldwide.
- The emerald is considered the birthstone for those born in the month of May.
- The value of an emerald is determined by four factors: colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Colour is the most significant of these four. Vivid green or blueish-green with consistent saturation and no colour zoning is the perfect colour for an emerald gemstone.
- The traditional gift for the 20th, 35th, and 55th wedding anniversaries in the United States is an emerald. Angara offers a beautiful emerald engagement ring. The ring is a emerald-three-stone ring, which is symbolic of a couple’s past, present, and future.
- Heat can injure emeralds significantly if existing fractures deepen.
- Light and chemicals can cause deterioration and change in the oils, resins, and polymers used to patch surface-reaching fractures. After a while, emerald jewellery may require re-oiling, which can be done by an expert jeweller.
- Wear jewellery before using hairspray, perfume, or cosmetics since the chemicals in these products can damage the emeralds.
- Use a delicate microfiber cloth to remove the oil and dirt accumulated on the emerald jewellery.
Also Read: Can Emeralds Be Worn Every Day?
Varieties of Emeralds
1. Colombian Emerald:
They get their name from Colombia, where they are mined. These emeralds possess a warm green colour. This variety is exceptional in colour, size, brilliance, and purity. The Columbian emerald’s predominant hue is green; however, some variances give the colour unique tints of green. Despite having only a tiny colour difference, they are among the most valuable emeralds.
2. Brazilian Emerald:
One of the other types of emerald was discovered in Brazil in 1920. At the time, the grade of emeralds extracted in Brazilian mines was not regarded as being on the same level as the best stones on the market. However, new mines were discovered by the end of the 1980s and are now claimed to produce far better gems than the previously available ones.
Also Read: Do Emeralds Need To Be Oiled?
3. Zambian Emerald:
Because of its vast beryl reserves, this African country is the world’s second-largest producer of emeralds. Humans only recently discovered it, possibly around 1950. Zambian emeralds are a darker green than Columbian Emeralds, which are prized for their lush green colour. These emeralds are less porous, smaller, and less brittle. As a result, they shine brighter. Furthermore, purchasing stones from Zambia is relatively inexpensive.
4. Synthetic Emerald:
In the 1930s, producing synthetic or fake emeralds involved dissolving gym nutrients in molten flux and enabling crystallization when only a seed of a natural beryl emerald was present. The emeralds produced at the time were of poor quality and size, but a new technology for producing synthetic emeralds was discovered in the 1960s. Crystal nutrients are dissolved in acid mixed with water and other chemicals using extremely high temperatures and pressures and then allowed to crystallize in a cooling chamber. As a result, emeralds manufactured from synthetic materials are substantially less expensive and look like real ones.
5. Trapiche Emerald:
This emerald type is rare yet exquisite and typically found in the mines of Columbia in South America. Some emeralds, which look like spoked wheels have a hexagonal centre. The inclusions in this natural emerald are magnificent and have been created in such a way that resemble a cat’s eyes.
Also Read: Emerald Gemstones Astrological Benefits
Final Word
History of emeralds suggests that the Muzo Indians of Colombia possessed well-hidden and coveted emerald mines on the opposite side of the planet. Unfortunately, these mines were so well disguised that it took the Spanish conquistadors over two decades to discover them.
This gemstone was especially popular in Roman mythology, which was usually connected with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. According to legend, the famed Roman Emperor Nero would only watch gladiator battles through an emerald because the delicate tint eased his eyes.
Loved and admired the world over, emeralds are truly nature’s gift to man. Invest in a high-quality emerald ring for yourself or for someone you love and let it become a symbol that can be cherished for a lifetime.
