 | EMERALD - (green) The name is of ancient origin. The Latin smaragdus appears to have referred to the stone we call emerald, which is now considered as a distinct species. It is basically the green variety of beryl, although not all gem-quality green beryls are called emeralds: yellow-green stones are called heliodors; soft blue green or even pale green specimens are called aquamarines. The typical color is beautiful, distinctive hue known, in fact, as emerald green and in sues to traces of chromium in the crystal structure. But emeralds can be light or dark green, bright green or leaf green. The vitreous luster is not outstanding, and is strongest in medium-light stones with few inclusions. All emerald contains inclusions, although in the best quality stones, these are very faint and not visible to the naked eye. They show up under a 10x, 20x, or 40x lens. The most common shape for gems is the step or trap cut, which is also known as the emerald cut. They are occasionally given a mixed, oval cut, while antique stones are found with hexagonal, step cuts, cabochon cuts, or pear shapes with a hole in them, often used as pendants. On the Moh's scale Emeralds are between a 7.5 and 8.0. The typical emerald color is virtually unmistakable. Some very rare specimens of jadeite jade, which are less transparent and have different physical properties, only equal it. To the initiated, the inclusions in emerald can be highly distinctive: a bubble of gas in a liquid, within spindle-shaped or, more rarely, truncated prismatic cavities; birefringence, circular plates of mica; multifaceted pyrite crystals or calcite rhombohedra. However, a microscope is almost always needed to recognize them. Although not the typical emerald color, some green tourmalines may look similar, but they can be distinguished either by their marked pleochroism, or by the fact that tourmalines which are given an emerald cut display alternating, longitudinal lines of lighter or darker color, when viewed through the table faucet. Olivine may also be a verdant green color vaguely similar to that of some atypical emerald; but the powerful birefringence of olivine is detectable with a simple lens, a double image of the opposite faucet ages being clearly visible in certain directions through the table facet. In any case, the density of either tourmaline or olivine immediately distinguishes the stone from emerald. The biggest and the most beautiful emerald come from the famous Chivor and Muzo mines of Columbia. Much smaller quantities of emeralds, mostly of medium-light color, come from Brazil, and small, very intensely color stones, characterized by the numerous minute inclusions of molybdenite with a metallic appearance, are found in Transvaal. In the last few decades, increasing quantities of emeralds have been found in a series of small deposits in East Africa-principally in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. These are quiet strong color sometimes with a bluish-green tinge; and they often contain mica plates and, sometimes, thin crystal needles. The most famous of this emerald are the ones from Sandawana in Zimbabwe, which are value for their color. Emeralds with similar characteristics also come from the mountains of India and Pakistan, as well as the Soviet Union, and formally Austria. The Romans are known to have imitated emerald with skillfully worked green glass. Glass were also use in later centuries, extraneous particles sometimes being incorporated to simulated inclusions. Doublets have also been used as imitations, with a lower portion of green glass and a top portion of garnet, or triplets, with a layer of colored cement sandwiched between two layers of colorless beryl, synthetic spinel, or quartz, Synthetic emeralds have likewise been widely produced over the last few decades. Generally a good color, these are mainly distinguished from the natural variety by their inclusions and other features. There are a lot of synthetic stones about, but their cost is quiet high, so that the market from them is saturated. Strengthens memory, increases intelligence foresight and prophecy, clear seeing, wisdom, enhances speech and creativity. “Stone of successful love”, domestic bliss, stimulates heart chakra, harmony, fidelity, joy, all healing. Intellect, Prosperity, Headaches, Infections. Emerald Trivia Emerald is believed to insure loyalty, improve memory, quicken intelligence, and forecast upcoming events. Archaeologists have traced the history of emeralds back to 3000 B.C. in ancient Egypt and India. Cleopatra prized her emeralds more than any other stone. One of the world's largest emeralds dates back to 1659, weighs 217.8 carots and is about 10 cm high. One side is incribed with prayers and the other with opulent flowers. Ancient scholar Pliny wrote "Sight is refreshed by gazing upon this stone." Roman emperor Nero took his advice by wearing sunglasses made of emerald to watch the gladiators. Omar Khayyam, a Persian mathematician and philosopher, took a copy of his book, with a cover made from gold and over 1,000 emeralds and rubies, aboard the Titanic. It was once thought that if you kept an emerald under your pillow you would dream about the future. |