Because the rich green color of emerald is the color of spring, the
ancients prized it as the gemstone symbolizing love and rebirth.
Treasured for at least 4,000 years by different cultures all around
the world, emerald is said to quicken the intelligence as well as the
heart. Legend gives its owner the gift of eloquence.
Cleopatra prized her emeralds more than any other gem. She may have
dropped her pearls in her wine for Mark Anthony but she kept her
emeralds for herself! The ancient emerald mines of Cleopatra, long a
mystery, were discovered again a hundred years ago near the Red Sea.
Some tools found in the mine were dated at 1650 B.C. but no quality
emeralds were found: the mines were exhausted thousands of years ago.
Mummies in ancient Egypt were often buried with an emerald on their
necks carved with the symbol for verdure, flourishing greenness, to
symbolize eternal youth.
The Romans also loved emeralds because, as ancient scholar Pliny
said, "nothing greens greener." Pliny said that emerald was
the only gem which delighted the eye without fatiguing it. He said
his eyes were restored when gazing at emerald. Emperor Nero wore
emerald sunglasses to watch the gladiators.
One legend says that Satan lost the emerald from his crown when he
fell. The emerald was shaped into a bowl which the Queen of Sheba
sent to Nicodemus. Christ used the bowl at the last supper and Joseph
of Arimathea used the bowl to catch blood from the cross, founding
the order of the Holy Grail.
What is the source of the timeless appeal of emerald? Today
scientists tell us that the human eye is more sensitive to the color
green than to any other. Perhaps that is why green is so soothing to
the eye, and why the color green seems to complement every other
color: think of the beauty of a garden. Spring can also be seen in
the network of inclusions in the depth of the emerald that the French
call the "jardin," or "garden," because it
resembles foliage. The inclusions are like a fingerprint, giving each
emerald a distinct personality. The extreme rarity of transparent
emerald is why emeralds can be more valuable than diamonds.
Emerald is a beryl, a mineral that is normally colorless. Emerald's
rich green color is caused by minute traces of chromium. Chromium is
the rare Midas element of gemstones: its presence also gives rubies
their firey redness.
Crystals of emerald grew long before human history in metamorphic
rocks, which usually restricts the size of emerald crystals, making
them even rarer in large sizes. Other beryls, emerald's cousins, like
pale blue aquamarine, pink morganite, golden heliodor, and pale green
beryl, grow in pegmatites which allow larger crystals to form. There
is even a bright red beryl found in Utah in the United States.
How to Care for Emeralds:
Do not leave your emerald ring on while washing dishes or using soap
as an emerald will attract grease and soap. After a while, these
substances will accumulate on the bottom of the gemstone, causing it
to lose its lively brilliance. Also do not wear your emerald when you
might be engaging in physical activity that might scratch the stone.
To clean your emerald, use room temperature running water and a soft
toothbrush with mild soap like hand soap or Woolite. Brush repeatedly
on the underside of the emerald to remove accumulations of dirt and
grease. You will see the emerald begin to brighten. It should then be
rinsed with warm water, and patted dry.
Do not clean an emerald in ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners or
acetone. These may cause damage to the stone or the setting. An
emerald should never be exposed to high heat. A good rule of thumb is
that if the cleaning solution you use is too hot for you to put your
hand in, you should not place your emerald in it. Avoid using strong
soaps, jewelry cleaner liquids or other cleaners as most of these are
not compatible with the oil treatment of Emeralds. Cleaning should be
done no more frequently than is necessary, and never more than
several times a year. After many years of wear, you may wish to have
your Emerald re-oiled. Most local Jewelers can provide this service.
