This striking and impressive gemstone has roots deep in history, as far back as 6000 years. The meaning “the green of glowing things” comes from the Sanskrit word “Marakata” according to Indian mythology. Hailed as a divine stone of the gods emeralds were held in high esteem by ancient Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. The Incas had a giant ostrich egg sized emerald the ‘emerald queen,’ they believed it was the incarnation of the goddess Umina. They worshiped it by bringing smaller ‘daughter’ emeralds to it when they needed an intervention. Ancient Egyptians also adored emeralds and mined then as early as 3500 BC, they were Cleopatra’s favourite gemstone.
The Springtime Gem
This gemstone conveys freshness, harmony, nature, and joie de vivre. While the Ruby symbolizes passionate love the emerald symbolizes constant, devoted, and mature love. That may sound kind of boring but the emerald is the gem of true and lasting love. It also represents good health and good fortune.
‘Jardin’ (French for garden) is a term that refers to the inclusions that occur naturally in the stones. These tiny cracks and fissures look like foliage or little plant structures as if the emerald grew naturally from the ground. Under a microscope some emeralds contain mini crystals and even bubbles. When the crystal forms it grows and heals around these manifestations giving the stone a restorative reputation.
Sophisticated and Elite
The best emeralds are vibrant blue/green, pale green emeralds are actually referred to as just green Beryl, too light to be considered emeralds. Carat for carat a fine emerald will cost as mush as two or three times the value of a quality diamond. Most emerald jewellery available at jewellery stores are average examples of the stone and all of them are enhanced. Emeralds have specific inclusions or flaws that are the mark of a natural and genuine gem, synthetic versions have inclusion to but they look different. Many gemstone dealers, lapidarists (stone-cutters), and gemologists prefer emeralds with slight inclusions because it proves they aren’t man-made. Unlike other gems emeralds are graded by the naked eye, other gems are graded using magnifying tools.
The photos above feature natural Emeralds ‘Jardin.’ Under a microscope fissures, bubbles, and even pyrite crystals can be seen. These ‘flaws’ give emeralds their unique character
Special Care Required
Emeralds are sensitive to hard bangs, severe temperature changes and cleaners, so it’s a good idea not to wear them when you’re doing chores or cleaning, it’s a hard stone but its brittle at the same time. They should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner and all soaps should be avoided. Why? The cracks and fissures in Emeralds are filled with resins, and the stones are often sealed and/or oiled to protect those modifications. Using the cleaning methods above will weaken the treatments making your emerald prone to damage.
Trust Me, It’s a Real Emerald
Since emeralds are some of the most magnificent of stones and also the most valuable there are numerous imitations and highly enhanced stones on the market. Some emeralds are made from low quality light beryl gems that are married together, these are called doublets. Another practice is to dye low quality gems to give them a darker and richer look. Many emeralds are injected with synthetic materials to fill in their flaws.
Varieties of Authentic Emerald
• Brazilian Emerald (not green Tourmaline)
• Cat’s Eye Emerald (rare, found in paler gems)
• Colombian Emerald (the highest quality)
• Star Emerald or Trapiche Emerald
• Zambian Emerald (very good quality)
