Emerald is a green form of Beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate pigmented with chrome and or vanadium. A paler blue/green form of Beryl is Aquamarine. Beryl includes trace elements of beryllium, a rare element. Beryl is a mineral that is associated with many gemstones. For instance, yellow Beryl or orange is usually called Heliodor, pink or salmon-colored beryl is called Morganite, and the rarest type of Beryl, Bixbite is a deep, intense red. Emerald usually comes in a deep, intense green. However, it is sometimes found as a light green or even to have a tinge of yellow in the stone.
What gives Emeralds their color are two trace elements; one is Chromium and the other is Vanadium. While both elements are usually present, at certain times Vanadium might be absent. When vanadium is absent, the stone is still a deep green.
Emeralds are often formed in mica schist which is hydrothermal in origin. They are usually associated with rocks that are formed in association with Granite or Pegmatite. Most Emeralds are found in mines that are hydrothermal (hot water or steam).
Minerals that are sometimes found near Emeralds are Pyrite, Calcite, and Quartz. Emeralds are also found in eluvia and alluvial deposits as well due to their hardness and gravity characteristics.
Emerald Metaphysical Properties
Emerald is both May’s birthstone and Cleopatra’s favorite gem. Emerald is a precious gemstone as well as a valuable one and is considered the stone of Success and Love.
The frequency of Emerald is connected to the heart chakra. It emits the energies of love and compassion. It opens the heart chakra and helps to heal one’s emotions and the emotional body.
This crystal allows one to feel the true abundance that the Universe provides and to trust in the Divine.
The energy of Emerald brings a heart-centered awareness to one’s being that allows one to have respect and accept others for who they are. It allows one to have compassion and understanding.
This green form of Beryl helps heal the physical heart of energetic imbalances and “dis-ease”.
Associated Chakras
- Heart
Physical Ailment
- Heart Disease
Emotional Issue
- Abandonment
- Emotions
- Unworthiness
Spiritual Connection
- Abundance
- Compassion
- Trust in the Divine
THE HISTORY OF EMERALDS
Emeralds were discovered approximately 4000 years ago and have since been prized by connoisseurs and sought by the rich and powerful. Cleopatra herself had an extraordinary collection of emeralds mined at the Red Sea which she wore lavishly.
When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they were surprised to find that the Aztecs and Incas also possessed these gems and that they used them as cult objects.
Early Christians associated Emeralds with the resurrection which has carried on into our lifetime since now Emeralds are thought to be a symbol of rebirth. The ancient Romans thought Emeralds symbolized fertility. And during the Middle Ages, Emeralds were used to foretell the future.
The Emerald is a very attractive stone that was extremely popular in Ancient times and during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods in Europe. Its most known attribute is its intense green hue, sometimes referred to as “green fire”.
Emerald comes from the Greek word “smaragdos”, this word means green stones, through the history of the world; Emeralds have been used mainly as ornamental jewelry and also due to their supposed mystical and medicinal properties. For instance, the Emerald has been largely used as a symbol of the occult, especially since it has been around for thousands of years before traditional religions emerged. It was also said to protect one from snake bites, help creativity, encouraged clarity, and be a sign of immortality. It was also used for its supposed medicinal properties, to help promote overall health, cure dysentery, heal the heart and kidneys, and improve vision.
WHERE ARE EMERALDS FOUND?
Columbia is considered the most important exporter of emeralds because it is here where the biggest and purest gems have been found. The world’s largest such crystal of 7052 carats was found in the mines of Cruces in Achaia, Columbia. Besides Columbia, other exceptional emeralds come from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Brazil.
EMERALD COLOR
When looking for an emerald, the most important factor to consider is color. Genuine Emerald is a green variety of Beryl and a similar variety of corundum. The more vivid the green, the more valuable the stone.
The Emerald is translucent to transparent with the finer grades leaning toward transparent. The color can range from an almost milky medium green to a richer and more transparent deep green. The very transparent Emeralds are considered by some as more valuable than diamonds.
Experts advise not to be put off by a few fissures, or inclusions, in your stone. It is rare to find a crystal without these natural birthmarks, and they do not detract from the stone’s beauty or value as they might with another type of stone. However, these fissures do affect the way you take care of an emerald.
EMERALD CARE AND CLEANING
Emeralds will remain beautiful and durable for years if they’re taken care of properly. Do what the experts advise: Avoid abrupt temperature changes and contact with rough or sharp surfaces, including those of other gemstones.
Store your emeralds in a fabric-lined jewelry box or wrap them in a soft cloth or tissue. To ensure a long and safe life for your stone, go to the jeweler to check the setting at least once a year and also clean the stone.
While there is no official alternate choice for May’s birthstone, those seeking a different stone could choose one with an equally vivid shade of green. These include tsavorite garnet, green tourmaline or the less-known, but equally beautiful chrome diopside.
Whether the emerald has the power to heal maladies or improve vision as some ancient peoples believed, few can resist its universal beauty. Regarded as one of the rarest and most precious gemstones in the world, a verdant green emerald set into a ring or pendant can bring years of pleasure to the lucky owner.
