Emeralds: The Vivid Green Gemstone Full Of Life
The green emerald gemstone is a luxurious and captivating member of the beryl mineral family.
Their enchanting green hues are attributed to chromium impurities, while vanadium content contributes to their bluish undertones.
In its raw and uncut state, this precious stone emerges in a distinct hexagonal shape, often exhibiting cracks, fluid bubbles, and cloudy areas on its surface.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring the origin, history, and spiritual attributions connected to this wonderful green gem and its use in jewelry-making!
The green emerald gemstone is a luxurious and captivating member of the beryl mineral family.
Their enchanting green hues are attributed to chromium impurities, while vanadium content contributes to their bluish undertones.
In its raw and uncut state, this precious stone emerges in a distinct hexagonal shape, often exhibiting cracks, fluid bubbles, and cloudy areas on its surface.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring the origin, history, and spiritual attributions connected to this wonderful green gem and its use in jewelry-making!
Emeralds In History Books
The term "emerald" finds its origins in Old Latin, derived from the Ancient Greek word "smaragdos," meaning green gem.
Archaeological evidence reveals that emerald deposits near the Nile were discovered in Ancient Egypt around 500 BC.
However, the Romans conducted large-scale mining centuries later, referring to the site as Mons Smaragdus, meaning "emerald mountain" in old Latin.
Cleopatra, known for her love of opulence, is often portrayed wearing emerald necklaces and jewelry, displaying her passionate affinity for this vivid green gem.
The Babylonians played a significant role in the trade of precious stones, including emeralds, throughout the Mediterranean region.
During that era, Egypt served as the primary source of emeralds, with trade primarily facilitated by the Babylonian and Roman Empires across the Mediterranean Sea.
The Byzantines succeeded the Romans but eventually lost control to Muslim conquerors. In the 14th century, new deposits were discovered in India and Austria.
Emeralds also hold a cultural significance among the Incas in South America, who adorned themselves with these gemstones during sacrificial rituals dedicated to the sun god.
The Spaniards exchanged precious metals for Inca emeralds, which were then transported to Europe and Asia for trade.
Colombian Green Emeralds: An Absolute Delight
Some of the world's purest and most vibrant green emeralds are mined in Colombia. Colombia has become synonymous with the utmost purity of emeralds in the realm of precious stones, supplying over 60% of global emerald production.
The deep forest hue of Colombian emeralds is often associated with superior quality.
Additionally, the trapiche emerald, resembling enigmatic cat eyes from above, is a truly unique and treasured find (it also looks like a watermelon).
Other Renowned Mining Sites & Synthetic Emeralds
Zambia ranks as the second-largest producer of emeralds, while other countries such as Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Australia, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the USA also have mining deposits that source natural emeralds of decent quality.
The increasing popularity of lab-grown emeralds highlights their potential to address the demand for these exquisite gems while promoting sustainability.
While synthetic emeralds may require costly equipment and energy-intensive processes, they offer an alternative that minimizes the environmental impact caused by mining.
Healing and Spiritual Properties for the Wearer
Emerald gemstones are believed to possess various healing properties and can offer relief from headaches, nightmares, and insomnia. They are also thought to aid in the treatment of psoriasis, infections, and high fever.
Wearing jewelry adorned with emeralds is believed to amplify the effects of any therapeutic treatment. Furthermore, emeralds are said to alleviate night blindness, gastrointestinal disorders, and coughing.
It is believed that placing an emerald in a container of water for at least an hour can purify the liquid by eliminating harmful microbes and bacteria. When placed within a living space, emeralds are thought to dispel negative energies over time.
Emeralds Look Fabulous As Fine Jewelry
When selecting a style of cut for emeralds, color takes precedence over brilliance. Due to their relative non-uniformity, emeralds are often fashioned in cabochon form rather than faceted shapes.
The most common faceted cuts for emeralds are oval, pear-shaped, and the iconic rectangular emerald cut. Emeralds are considered relatively fragile, with a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. To enhance their clarity and overall appearance, cracks are often filled with cedar oil or
Emeralds are truly exquisite gemstones that lend themselves beautifully to jewelry design. Yellow gold emerald rings and pendants exude a timeless vintage charm, adding an air of elegance to any ensemble.
White gold offers a modern and chic alternative for those desiring a contemporary aesthetic. It beautifully enhances the elegance of emerald drop earrings, stunning emerald bracelets, and captivating diamond halo necklaces adorned with emeralds.
Before you go…
At Orosergio, we are passionate craftspeople dedicated to creating unique and remarkable pieces for our valued customers.
We invite you to explore our collection of emerald earrings, where you can find inspiration to craft your own personalized jewelry that captures the allure of this enchanting gemstone.
From its fascinating historical significance to its mesmerizing green brilliance, the emerald continues to captivate jewelry enthusiasts and gemstone aficionados alike.
Whether cherished for its beauty, believed to possess healing properties, or simply admired for its timeless elegance, the emerald stands as a testament to nature's remarkable artistry and the enduring appeal of precious gemstones.
If you want to explore our jewelry pieces that feature emeralds, check out our sumptuous Esmèralda & Baladi Collections here below.
