Emerald Stone: The Unparalleled Stone of Influence and Sovereignty
With its vivid green tint and mesmerizing shine, emerald is one of the most popular gems in the world. Considered precious throughout history, this beautiful stone has been admired over the centuries and is an enduring symbol of wealth as well as a possessing profound historical, astrological and healing importance. Be it a collector, jewelry lover, or someone trying to tap into the powerful capabilities of emeralds, this guide will provide you with all the information needed to understand this stunning piece of art in detail.
Where does an Emerald come from?
An emerald is a highly regarded gem, originating from the beryl mineral family. Its striking green color is derived from tiny specks of chromium and vanadium. Its hardness rating on the Mohs scale is between 7.5 and 8. Because of the natural inclusions inside the stone, emeralds are quite brittle. These inclusions, or features, are commonly known as ājardin,ā a french word that translates to āgarden,ā each garden having a particular arrangement, hence making each emerald unique.
What to Know about Emerald Sources
Although Columbia is the most popular country for emerald production, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Africa are also home to some of the top producers of emeralds. Below are some of the countries that are known as sources of major gemstones.
Colombia: Deep green color and exceptional clarity makes these gems the most desired.
– Zambia :exports emerald gemstones that are commonly characterized for having fewer inclusions and have a slight bluish-green tinge.
– Brazil ā Offers emeralds known for their lighter, more yellowish-green tones.
– Ethiopia ā An emerging supplier with diverse types of emerald gemstones.
– Zimbabwe ā Offers high-quality small emeralds of intense color.
Emeralds have served great value to multiple civilizations during different time periods:
– Ancient Egypt ā Cleopatraās royalty was known widely for emerald use in adornments.
Emerald Stone: The Timeless Gem of Royalty and Wisdom
The emerald green gemstone is still one of the most adored stones worldwide. It’s known across royal houses and spiritual factions as the Stone of Prosperity and Wisdom for its elegance and deep heritage. This gemstone has and will always be considered one of the most treasured stones owing to its beauty, healing properties, and historical importance.
The Origins and Formation of Emeralds
Emeralds are beryl minerals that receive their vivid green from the presence of chromium and vanadium. The formation of these stones requires extremely high temperatures and pressure deep in the Earthās crust, making the process take millions of years, which is why emeralds are treasured.
The leading producers of emeralds include the following regions:
– Columbia: Emeralds from here are known to have the best quality worldwide due to their rich green color and clarity.
– Zambia: The emeralds from Zambia have a bluish-green color and are very transparent.
– Brazil: These emeralds are commonly lighter in shade, capturing the hues of green, unlike Colombian stones.
– Ethiopia and Zimbabwe: These countries are becoming popular for their quality emeralds.
Emeralds have various historical and cultural significances.
Like many other gemstones, emeralds have been highly valued in civilizations throughout the ages. Ancient Egyptians associated emeralds with fertility and eternal youth, and Cleopatra wore it as a captivating symbol of her power. In South America, Incas and Aztecs attached sacred importance to emeralds associating them with nature and fertility.
Emeralds have been a favorite gemstone among monarchs and nobility in European history. They were believed to enhance wisdom, and protect the bearer from evil, while also bringing prosperity. Even in the modern world, emeralds have retained their value as a symbol of luxury and wealth.
Metaphysical properties of emeralds:
Physical Properties
– Color: The value of the stone increases with the richness of green color, which ranges from light green to deep green.
Emeralds measure between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes them fairly durable, although they are easily fractured due to natural inclusions.
Unlike diamonds, emeralds contain versions that include internal inclusions referred to as ājardinā (āgardenā in French) which are part of the gem’s character rather than flaws.
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Emerald gemstones are believed to possess various spiritual and healing properties.
Wisdom and Clarity: Enhances intellect, intuition, and decision making.
Love and Relationships: Strengthens emotional bond and fosters peace for relationships.
Prosperity and Success: Emerald gemstone helps in attracting abundance and financial growth.
Healing and Energy: Believed to relieve stress, boost heart health, and promote emotional balance.
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Emerald gemstone is the birthstone for May and is associated with the zodiac sign Gemini. In vedic astrology, it is connected with planet Mercury (Budh) symbolizes intelligence, communication and creativity. From a psychological perspective, wearing emerald is said to bring mental clarity, confidence and success in professional and personal life.
How to Buy an Emerald:
When buying an emerald, these factors should be considered.
Color: The most valuable emeralds are of a vivid green hue and not too dark or too light.
– Clarity – Some inclusions are acceptable, however do not accept stones that contain excessive visible flaws.
– Cut – Cuts made to emeralds should be of high quality because they increase the stoneās sheen.
– Origin – Emeralds from Colombia are notoriously the most expensive because they are the finest in quality.
Caring for Your Emerald
– Clean with a soft brush and soapy water that is mild.
– Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners as emeralds cannot withstand heat and pressure.
– Do not store next to tougher gems such as diamonds because they will cause scratches.
Conclusion
Emeralds may just be decorative pieces, but they also embody a unique past, are rich in symbolism, and portray immense energy. Worn as an ornament, for astrological purposes, or for therapeutic reasons, emeralds are and will always be a mesmerizing stone.
When looking for a stunning emerald, it is wise to buy from a reputable seller, so that you get value for your money. Without proper care, emeralds will forever remain cherished and will be passed on for many generations.