Emerald -
May Birthstone
Emerald, the first stones
were mined in the deserts of Egypt near the Red Sea in what were known
as Cleopatra's Mines. However, probably the most
ancient occurrences which were known are located near the Red
Sea.
These
gemstone mines were already exploited by Egyptian Pharaohs between 3000
and 1500 B.C., gained fame under the name of "Cleopatra?s Mines?, but
had already run out when they were rediscovered.
The ancient Egyptians mined
Emerald nearly 4,000 years ago, and Cleopatra was an avid collector.
South America's rich bounty of Emeralds was discovered by 16th Century
Spanish explorers who found large Emeralds in the possession of the
Aztecs and Incas. Egyptian Emerald mined today are small and dark
stones. Emerald is the grass green variety of the gemstone called
berly.
The name for Emerald is taken
from the Greek name - smaragdos, meaning Green stone. The top color for
Emerald is a deep Green. Inclusions are generally accepted in Emeralds
since all but the rare few have visible inclusions of Mica, Pyrite or
Calcite or the "garden" type inclusions.
Sources for this
gemstone
Sources for this gemstone are
Colombia, Tanzania, and Brazil.
Treatments
Since virtually
all Emerald on the market is included with some sort
of surface-reaching fractures and
openings. The visibility of the inclusions is reduced by filling them.
Traditionally, oils (such as cedarwood oil) are used but in time they
tend to dry out thus making the inclusion more readily visible again and
the gem would require another oil bath. Today, natural resin or
wax type materials are preferred over the traditional oils, since the
resin or wax is a natural substance with more of an almost permanent
treatment life. Emerald enhancement
processes date back over 600 years, and oil, natural resin, or wax type
treatments are accepted trade practices that do not
adversely affect the performance and durability of the gemstone, so you
can expect all Emeralds will have some type of
enhancement.
Power of
Fortune
Emerald symbolizes rebirth
and youth. Believed by the ancients to empower the owner with foresight
into the future, Emerald is regarded as an amulet for good fortune.?. There are uncountable adventure stories involving this
splendid gemstone.
Many
centuries ago in the Veda, the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism,
there was written down information on the valuable green gemstones and
their healing power: ?Emeralds promise good luck?, or ?The Emerald
enhances your well-being?. It does not come as a surprise, then, that
the treasure chests of Indian Maharajas and Maharanis contained most
wonderful Emeralds. One of the largest Emeralds in the world is the
"Mogul Emerald?. It goes back to the year 1695, weighs 217.80 carats and
is about 10 cm high. One side is inscribed with prayers, on the other
side there are engraved opulent flower ornaments. The legendary Emerald
was auctioned off at Christie?s of London for 2.2 million US dollars to
an anonymous buyer.
Care
Emeralds must be treated with care to prevent
chipping. Emerald jewelry should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic
or steam cleaner. We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water
and a soft brush as the best way to clean Emerald jewelry.
NOTE: We only feature and offer Natural
Emeralds NOT ENHANCED ONES WITH OIL FILLINGS.
Technical
Data
| Chemical Composition
and Name |
Be3Al2(SiO3)6
- Beryllium Aluminium Silicate |
| Hardness |
7.5 to
8 |
| Refractive
Index |
1.560 - 1.565 to
1.587 to 1.593 |
| Specific
Gravity |
2.65 to
2.76 |
| Birefringence |
0.005 to
0.009 |
| Crystalline
System |
Hexagonal |
| Optic Sign |
Negative |
| Other Optical
Properties |
Uniaxial |
