Emerald

Table of Contents

Facts, history, legend

Emerald is the most famous gem of the beryl family; the others beryl are aquamarine (blue), bixbite (red), goshenite (colorless), heliodor (yellow), morganite (pink). Emerald is a green beryl, but not all green beryl is emerald. To be acknowledged as emerald, the green beryl must have presence of chromium; otherwise it still would be ordinary green beryl.

Known and admired for its incomparable beauty, the emerald has been prized for millennia. As early as 3,000 B.C. the ancient Egyptians mined emeralds from the famous “Cleopatra’s Mines.” The legendary queen was known to adore the gem, which was called the “lover stone.” The Egypt was the first and only source of emerald for the ancients; the stones were small with many inclusions.

In ancient India emerald was worn as a holy talisman; this gem was prized in the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The Native Americans also highly worshipped the stone. In the Middle Ages emerald was used to foresee the future, protect against evil spirits, bring purity, and even reveal the unfaithfulness. Emerald was very significant stone for the Christians, Muslims and Buddhists.

Properties

In gemstone therapy it is said that emerald can be effective against headaches, eye problems, and conditions linked with the heart, lungs, pancreas and lymphatic system.

Emerald long been considered as the gem to attract prosperity, health, wealth, patience and peace. This gem is said to promote creativity, enhance artistic ability, and show the way to new beginnings.

Symbolic Associations

ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus
PLANET: Venus
ELEMENT: Earth, Water
CHAKRA: Heart (4th)
BIRTHSTONE: January, May, June, December