Monday
Birthstone Jewelry, Bridal, Gemstone JewelryMay’s Birthstone: The Emerald
Emerald and Diamond Leverback Earrings
Emeralds have been treasured for their beauty for thousands of years. Although many early civilizations coveted the green gemstone, it was the Ancient Egyptians who are known for revering and controlling the commerce of the stone. First mined in the Sahara desert 2,000 years prior to Cleopatra’s birth, gem seekers faced formidable temperatures in addition to poisonous snakes and scorpions in their quests for emeralds.
Emerald and Diamond Ring
Known later as Cleopatra’s Mines, these sources were mined almost continuously from 330 B.C. until well into the Middle Ages. Cleopatra declared the emerald her favored gemstone and often wore spectacular examples set in gold jewelry. Visiting elite were sometimes gifted with emeralds carved into her likeness. Egyptians believed the emerald was not only lovely, but possessed magical powers including the ability to cure disease and increase fertility. Wealthy Indians and Europeans began to clamor for the gemstone. Emeralds became a very valuable trade commodity for the Egyptians as the rarity of emerald mines offered them a near monopoly of the market.
Egypt’s grip on the world’s emerald supply effectively ended in 1558 A.D. When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in South America, they were startled to discover the local populace wearing emeralds of extraordinary size and color. The native elite managed to hide their primary mines for almost 20 years, but the Spanish eventually discovered and seized the Muzo mines near Columbia.
Emerald and Diamond Pendant
After a lengthy and deadly defense of the mines, the natives were conquered and enslaved to work the mines for the Spanish. The exquisite gems discovered were shipped back to Europe and were traded to the Ottoman Turks, Persian Shahs and European royals. Often these gemstones became the centerpiece of royal collections. In the 1600’s, India’s Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, loved emeralds so much he inscribed them with sacred writing and wore them as talismans. Today called the Mogul emeralds, some of the pieces are displayed in museums and esteemed private collections. One exceptional stone, called the Talismanic Emerald, is a vibrant, deep green and weighs 78 carats. A Persian inscription reads, “He who possesses this charm shall enjoy the special protection of God.”
Emerald Composition and Physical Characteristics:
Emeralds are actually the green variety of the mineral Beryl. Beryl is generally white but is also found in
other hues of lesser value. Light blue beryl is know as aquamarine.
Roberta Z Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
In Emeralds, the more vivid the green color, the higher the value. Pale green examples are not even granted the title of emerald, but are simply
called Green Beryl.
Emeralds are green crystals that slowly grow inside metamorphic rock. The rock restricts the size and shape of the emerald, making large crystals rare and valuable. Emeralds almost always have flaws. Flawless examples are so rare, that buyers actually prefer seeing a minor flaw, as it signifies that the stone is more likely to be genuine. Some flaws can be masked with a heated oil treatment or irradiation. This practice decreases the value of the stone as it loses its natural state and associated value. Often, this “treatment” fixes the flaw only temporarily and the original crack will reappear over time. Emerald buyers should make their purchases from reputable jewelers.
Natural emeralds are best known to occur today in Colombia (the famed Muzo mines), Brazil, portions of West Africa and the Middle East, Russia and the United States. The Muzo mines even produce the occasional and highly vaunted “Trapiche emerald” which exhibits star-shaped rays that emanate from its center.
Imagine Designs Emerald and Diamond Stackable Band
To mystics, emeralds symbolize wisdom, growth, patience, love and fidelity. They are said to promote physical and emotional healing and well-being.. Others believe that wearing the gemstone makes an individual more flexible and understanding, improves memory, increases IQ, helps predict the future, and promises eternal youth.
Arguably, emeralds are the most precious of all gems. Even compared to diamonds, carat for carat, emeralds have a higher value. The vibrancy of the green color and the rarity of its natural occurrence along with its illustrious history, made the emerald highly desirable and symbolic of wealth and power. Today, emeralds are still more costly than many other gemstones, but are affordable and avaliable to everyone. Emeralds make a terrific jewelry gift.
Post Tags: aquamarine, beryl, emerald, emeralds, green jewelry, May birthstone
