May’s children and their royal Emerald birthstone
What do Queen Victoria, Adele, The Rock (Dwayne Jackson), Janet Jackson, Karl Marx, Yogi Berra, Malcolm X, Bob Dylan, Audre Hepburn, Sigmund Freud, Clint Eastwood, David Beckham, Stephen Colbert, George Clooney and Pope John Paul II, all have in common? They are all May babies and the inheritors of the majestic Emerald as their birthstone! Is this beauty your birthstone as well? Perhaps the birthstone of a loved one? This is a story of the Emerald. Long beloved of royals and laymen alike.
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Emeralds as Talismans and healing objects
From the Egyptians to Romans to Elizabethan Royals and beyond, many have believed emeralds could confer riches, power, and eloquence if worn as talismans. Emeralds were purported to strengthen memory and sharpened wits. What do you think the most incredible power of the Emerald was thought to be? Bestowing the ability to predict future!
In eras past, Arab, Indian and Spanish physicians used emeralds against poison, infection, and dysentery. Many societies believed the gemstone could protect one against possession by demons.
Across religious lines, there has been an ongoing history of the belief in Archangels. According to the millions of followers of Archangel, Raphael is the Angel of healing and his colour is emerald green.
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The emerald was mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.
The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewellery and in their elaborate burials, often burying emeralds with monarchs as symbols of protection. Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emeralds. Cleopatra purportedly gave them away to visiting dignitaries as well as decorating her rooms and outfits with them. She went as far as claiming ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.The gem has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. Ancient Romans went so far as to dedicate this stone to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
Believers thought the gemstone could cut through all illusions and spells. It could reveal the truth or falsity of a lover’s oath. Some thought it could dampen lust, clearing the head to see the truth, of false objects of infatuation!
Emerald’s soothing green colour was thought to be restful to eyes under strain. Many gem cutters used to keep emeralds on their workbenches. They would rest their eyes on them after long hours of close work on other gems.
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Emerald, derived from the word “smaragdus,” which is the Greek word for green. Emeralds are the rarest gemstones per carat weight and are typically mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia.
Like aquamarine, emerald is a variety of beryl, a mineral that grows with six sides and up to a foot in length.
Emerald colour can range from light green (though there is some argument whether these very light beryls are truly emeralds) to a deep, rich green. Emeralds are also like aquamarine in that the way the colour presents itself in jewellery depends on a good cut by a skilled gemologist.
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The Muzo Indians of Colombia had well-hidden and prized emerald mines. These mines were so hidden, it took the Spanish conquistadors nearly twenty years to find them.
Today, emerald is a symbol of loyalty, new beginnings, peace and security, making it not only a beautiful gem to wear, but also a meaningful gift to be treasured by the receiver. It is still widely prized by the rich and famous, with Elizabeth Taylor’s famous emerald pendant selling for $6.5 million in 2011. GIA
So if you need to heal, forget unrequited love, see the future, rest your eyes or just enjoy the tactile beauty of the Emerald. Come on over to our place!
references:
American Gem Society
GIA
Farmer’s Almanac
