EMERALD
BIRTHSTONE
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| EMERALD BIRTHSTONE |
Emerald
is from the Beryl family of gemstones which includes Aquamarine. It
is a silicate mineral which combines with the metals aluminium and
beryllium, however its
beautiful green colour is from the presence of chromium and vanadium.
Emeralds may range in shades from pale green to the most desirable -
a deep, rich velvety green of uniform colour.
As
a relatively soft stone which is also brittle, emeralds are usually
cut to maintain durability as well as to maximise colour and are
frequently seen as cabochons with rounded surfaces or in the
rectangular or square 'step cut', often called the 'emerald cut'.
Stones are seldom flawless and usually contain inclusions which are
visible to the unaided eye. As a result, many stones are oiled to
fill and disguise cracks, hide flaws and enhance colour.
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| EMERALD BIRTHSTONE |
Emeralds
are steeped in superstition. To the Romans, the stone symbolised the
reproductive forces of nature and was dedicated to the goddess Venus;
to the early Christians, it represented resurrection and was a symbol
of immortality. In the fourth century BC, Theophrastus noted its
power to relieve the eyes and
far later in the seventeenth century, it was recommended as the most
powerful amulet to prevent epilepsy and bleeding and to cure dysentry
and fever.
It
has also been thought that emerald gave its owner the ability to
foretell the future and some believed it improved memory and
eloquence. In contrast, in the thirteenth century it was thought that
the gem was an enemy to sexual passion and it is said that when King
Bela of Hungary embraced his wife, his magnificent emerald broke into
pieces.
The gems are commonly found in granite rock or metamorphosed shales and as gem 'gravels' in river deposits.
The
earliest stones, used in ancient jewellery, were from 'Cleopatra's
mines' by the Red Sea in Egypt; now they yield only poor quality
stones. Colombia in South America produces the finest emeralds which
were traditionally used by the native Indians for barter with
neighbouring tribes.
Today,
Colombia is the world's largest emerald producer with about 100 mines
in operation including the famous Chivor and Muzo mines.
The
'Schettler Emerald', thought to be from the Colombian Muzo mine,
weighs 87.62cts and
is engraved on both sides in a flower and leaf pattern. In the early
nineteenth century, mining began in Russia, shortly after an emerald
crystal was discovered by a peasant in the Ural Mountains.
The
stone, weighing 2226g, is now in the Mineralogical Museum of Sciences
in Moscow. Other emerald locations include Austria ,India, Australia,
Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Norway and USA. Collectibles Coach
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