Gemstones have had a great role to play throughout history, with their influential and powerful aura and their rich looks. These stones are extremely popular as jewelry amongst the rich and royal clans of people back in the day, but in today’s world: gemstones are something cherished by a lot of people throughout the world.
Emeralds are one of the gemstones that are extremely prominent and have unique and vast legends and stories associated with it. The emerald green color of the stone has soothed the souls of many who seem lost in the whirlpool that is reality.
History
The name comes from the ancient Greek word, “smaragdus”, which translates to green. Rome’s great scholar Pliny the Elder had mentioned emerald in his Natural History, published in the first century AD.
He had described distinctively the use of emerald by early lapidaries who had said, “there is no better method of restoring their eyes than by looking at the natural emerald, it's soft, emerald green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude.” Till today, the color green is known to be used to relieve stress and eye strain.
The earliest emerald mines known to humanity were in Egypt, present as early as 330 B.C. Queen Cleopatra was known to be highly passionate about emeralds and would use them religiously in her royal ornaments.
Emeralds were smuggled and plundered by Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century when they invaded the new world. Even though the Spanish cherished Gold over any other precious material, they traded emeralds for more precious materials.
This is what opened the way for emeralds to make its place into European Royalty. Incas have also known to use emeralds in their daily jewelry and religious ceremonies.
The stone is a member of the beryl family and legends have claimed that the wearer of this stone will have the distinct ability of vision into the future. This ability is said to be achieved by placing the stone under the tongue of the wearer. It is also believed to tell the wearer the truth and protect them from all kinds of evil.
Emeralds in Indian Myths were worn to provide the wearer with good health and prosperity and keep them from falling into evil spells. Wearing this stone is also said to give the wearer the ability to determine the truth in a lover’s oath. In the holy Vedic Scriptures, the emerald stone is associated with powerful healing properties and luck-bringing abilities.
Origins of the stone
The most popular source of high-quality emeralds is Columbia, called as the international center for emerald mining. However, with the demand so high today, other places and countries are producing and mining emeralds as well.
Africa, Europe, and South America have contributed highly to the production of emeralds. Brazil and Zambia are ranked on the top for proceeding emerald green as well. Afghanistan, Australia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, Russia, and the United States are pretty high on the list of producers for good quality emeralds.
Interesting Facts About Emeralds
For generations, emeralds have been the subject of adoration among many, gem lovers or not. Its place in astrology is also incomprehensibly strong and vital. Several interesting facts about the stone are not known to many.
Emeralds are said to provide protection from misfortune, sadness and also brings the wearer immense luck. A lot of people buy emeralds every year in order to benefit from some luck.
According to Vedic Astrology, the gemstone is associated with Mercury, the planet of intellect, wisdom, creativity, love, and honesty. Emeralds are said to channel the positive energies of Mercury and bring them to the wearer.
Legend claims that emerald is governed by a Goddess who preserves the chastity of purity of women who wear the stone. The stone is also believed to detect betrayal in prehistoric games. Many men would give their wives the stone to keep them faithful.
The wearer of the stone is said to be able to channel and sharpen their creative abilities, their skills in oration, their clarity in expression and strengthens their intellect as well.
The emerald stone is also said to have the ability to strengthen a person’s relationships and induce more warmth, comfort, and stability in their lives.
Emeralds are a highly valuable stone that is enjoyed and revered by many people across the world. Wearing it brings the wearer a great elegance in their external appearance, has perplexing yet significant meaning, and brings out its gently soothing qualities which are powerfully reflected on the wearer.
