EMERALD

Energy: Receptive

Planet: Venus

Deities: Venus (& Aphrodite), Isis, Ceres, Diana, Artemis, Vishnu

Element: Earth

Associated metals: Copper and silver

Birthstone: May.

Astrological sign: birthstone of Taurus (sometimes associated with

Gemini & Aries)

Powers: Love, Money, Mental Powers, Creativity, Psychism,

Protection, Exorcism, Eyesight

Hardness: 7.5 – 8

Sources: Columbia, South America (the Chivor & Muzo mines), produces

the finest emeralds; however, they are also mined in Brazil, Zambia,

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia (Ural Mountains) and India. They are

also mined in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), South Africa, Tanzania, Austria

and Norway, Australia and here in the U.S.A. in Connecticut, Maine

and North Carolina.

Colors: usually a beautiful, vivid emerald green which can be a blue-

green; other shades include varying shades of green and the very

rare and virtually non-existent red.

The name, emerald, may have come from either the Greek `smaragdos,"

the Latin "smaragdus", or the Old French "esmeralde", and really

means 'green gemstone'. Innumerable fantastic stories have grown up

around this magnificent gem. The Incas and Aztecs of South America,

where the best emeralds are still found today, regarded the emerald

as a holy gemstone. However, probably the oldest known finds were

once made near the Red Sea in Egypt. Having said that, these

gemstone mines, already exploited by Egyptian pharaohs between 3000

and 1500 B.C., and later referred to as 'Cleopatra's Mines', had

already been exhausted by the time they were rediscovered in the

early 19th century.

Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl colored by chromium

whose crystals are hexagon in shape. The rarest of the beryl

family – only the red variety, sometimes called red emerald, is

rarer – it is one of the most highly prized gems. One weird fact

about emeralds is that they will "sweat" when subjected to heat;

that is, they will lose water.

The highest quality natural emerald (not treated or fired) has the

color of fresh young green grass – an almost pure spectral green,

possibly with a very faint tint of blue, as in the finest emerald

from Columbia, which is considered by connoisseurs to be the world's

finest and are rare and very expensive.

Flawless emeralds are scarce and exceptional, so their flaws have

come to serve almost as fingerprints while flawless emeralds are

immediately suspect. Because of their popularity, fakes are

abundant. Glass manufactured, complete with flaws and doublets or

triplets like aquamarine emeralds and Tecla emeralds are often

encountered.

Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful,

most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined:

emerald green. Inclusions are tolerated. In top quality, fine

emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds.

Written many centuries ago, the Vedas, the holy scriptures of the

Indians, say of the precious green gems and their healing

properties: 'Emeralds promise good luck ...' and 'The emerald

enhances the well-being ...' So it was no wonder that the treasure

chests of Indian maharajas and maharanis contained wonderful

emeralds. One of the world's largest is the so-called 'Mogul

Emerald' and it dates from 1695, weighs 217.80 carats, and is some

10cm tall. One side of it is inscribed with prayer texts, and

engraved on the other there are magnificent floral ornaments. This

legendary emerald was auctioned by Christie's of London to an

unidentified buyer for 2.2m US Dollars on September 28th 2001.

Emeralds have been held in high esteem since ancient times. For

that reason, some of the most famous emeralds are to be seen in

museums and collections. The New York Museum of Natural History,

for example, has an exhibit in which a cup made of pure emerald

which belonged to the Emperor Jehangir is shown next to

the 'Patricia', one of the largest Colombian emerald crystals, which

weighs 632 carats. The collection of the Bank of Bogota includes

five valuable emerald crystals with weights of between 220 and 1796

carats, and splendid emeralds form part of the Iranian National

Treasury, adorning, for example, the diadem of the former Empress

Farah. The Turkish sultans also loved emeralds. In Istanbul's

Topkapi Palace, there are exhibits with items of jewelry, writing-

implements and daggers, each lavishly adorned with emeralds and

other gems

Emerald is historically believed to bestow on its wearer

faithfulness and unchanging love, and was thought to unable to the

wearer to forecast events. This stone protects against infidelity

and deceit, ensures loyalty and improves memory.

Emeralds have also been associated with astrology. Emeralds are the

Astrological (star sign) birthstone and planetary stone for Taurus

(April 20 – May 20), and the birthstone for May. It is considered

the lucky charm for Gemini (May 21 – June 20). It is also believed

that the signs of the zodiac were involved in the origination of

birthstones. Ancient astrologers believed Emeralds and other gems

held many metaphysical properties

The green of life and of love:

The emerald, with its brilliant hue, is representative of our

planet, Earth, and is the color of life and of the springtime, which

comes round again and again. Also, for centuries, it has been the

color of beauty and of constant love. In ancient Rome, green was

the color of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. And today, this

color still occupies a special position in many cultures and

religions. Green, for example, is the holy color of Islam. Many of

the states of the Arab League have green in their flags as a symbol

of the unity of their faith. Yet this color has a high status in

the Catholic Church too, where green is regarded as the most natural

and the most elemental of the liturgical colors.

Once during the late 1800s or early 1900s, many of the gems of the

Mogul emperors of Delhi were displayed in Europe. One talismanic

emerald weighed about 78 carats and was a deep rich green. Around

its edge were Persian characters declaring that the owner enjoyed

the special protection of God.

The magnificent green of the emerald is a color which conveys

harmony, love of Nature and elemental energy. The human eye can

never see enough of this unique color. Pliny commented that green

gladdened the eye without tiring it. Green is perceived as fresh

and vivid, never as monotonous. In view of the fact that this color

always changes somewhat between the bright light of day and the

artificial light of a lamp, emerald green retains its lively vigor

in all its nuances.

Fingerprints of nature:

The lively luminosity of its color makes the emerald a unique

gemstone. However, real good quality is rare, with inclusions often

marring the evenness of the color – signs of the turbulent genesis

which has characterized this gemstone. Fine inclusions do not

diminish the high regard in which it is held. On the contrary: even

with inclusions, an emerald in a deep, lively green still has a much

higher value than an almost flawless emerald whose color is paler.

Affectionately, and rather poetically, the specialists call the

numerous crystal inclusions cracks or fissures, which are typical of

this gemstone 'jardin'. They regard the tender little green plants

in the emerald garden as features of the identity of a gem which has

grown naturally.

Emeralds from Zimbabwe are among the oldest gemstones anywhere in

the world. They were already growing 2600 million years ago, whilst

some specimens from Pakistan, for example, are a mere 9 million

years young. From a chemical-mineralogical point of view, emeralds

are beryllium-aluminium-silicates with a good hardness, and belong,

like the light blue aquamarine, the tender pink morganite, the

golden heliodor and the pale green beryl, to the large gemstone

family of the beryls. Pure beryl is colorless. The colors do not

occur until traces of some other element are added. In the case of

the emerald, it is mainly traces of chromium and vanadium, which are

responsible for the fascinating color. Normally, these elements are

concentrated in quite different parts of the Earth's crust to

beryllium, so the emerald should, strictly speaking, perhaps not

exist at all. However, during intensive tectonic processes such as

orogenesis, metamorphism, emergences and erosion of the land, these

contrasting elements found each other and crystallized out to make

one of our most beautiful gemstones. The tension involved in the

geological conditions conducive to the above processes produced some

minor flaws, and some major ones. A glance through the magnifying

glass or microscope into the interior of an emerald tells us

something about the eventful genesis of this unique gem: here we see

small or large fissures, the sparkle of a mini-crystal or a small

bubble, and shapes of all kinds. While the crystals were still

growing, some of these manifestations had the chance to 'heal', and

thus the jagged three-phase inclusions typical of Colombian emeralds

were formed: cavities filled with fluid, which often also contain a

small bubble of gas and some tiny crystals.

Logically enough, a genesis as turbulent as that of the emerald

impedes the undisturbed formation of large, flawless crystals. For

this reason, it is only seldom that a large emerald with good color

and good transparency is found. That's why fine emeralds are so

valuable. But for the very reason that the emerald has such a

stormy past, it is surely entitled to show it, that is as long as

only a fine jardin is to be seen, and not a rank garden which spoils

both color and transparency.

The Egyptian Book of the Dead says that the god, Thoth, gave the

emerald to the Eyptians. Embalmers were instructed to place an

emerald at the throat of every mummy to give youthful strength and

protection during the journey through the Underworld. Thoth, master

of magic, was said to be the first owner of the famous Emerald

Tablet of the later magician, Hermes Trismegistus. This Tablet was

believed to be made of uat, or matrix, emerald. The god, Horus, was

also connected with the emerald through one of his names, Prince of

the Emerald Stone. The green color of emerald is the sign of

spring, and ancient Egyptians believed that Emeralds stood for

rebirth and fertility, and could ease childbirth.

Sacred to the Great Goddess, emerald was used in the celebrations of

many spring festivals. Because it was called a stone of Venus or

Aphrodite, emerald was considered strongest if worn on her holy day,

Friday.

The Etruscans, Phoenicians, and Romans got their emeralds from

Hebach in the Taurus Mountains. The Romans believed that nothing

evil could remain in the presence of an emerald (note: Macha feels

the same way); if powerless to repel misfortune, it was believed the

stone would fall from its setting as a warning. The decadent

emperor, Nero, watched the gladiatorial fights through an emerald

because he believed the stone not only protected his eyes, but also

revealed the truth.

Some other old beliefs and omens are that if lies are told or

treachery is planned in its vicinity, the emerald will change color;

many a husband gave his wife an emerald, believing it would shatter

if she committed adultery. In India and ancient Egypt, the emerald

was said to give the gift of memory, good luck, and reveal ancient

secrets and further knowledge. The stone is worn to strengthen

memory (it was suggested for use by the pseudo-Albertus Magnus in

the 16th century) as well as to increase understanding and to

produce eloquent speech. The gems are often utilized in business

spells and rituals to promote sales and to promote the public's

awareness of the firm. If worn during an honest business

transaction, the emerald is said to aid the wearer's intuition, thus

swinging the transaction in his/her favor. (Macha's note: I never

go to a job interview, sign legal papers, or do important business

concerning money without my emerald ring.)

The stone not only affects the conscious mind, but also the psychic

(the subconscious) as well, for it increases its wearer's awareness

of psychic faculties. Due to this dual affect, the emerald is said

to grant all knowledge of the past, present and future.

Its soothing color caused emeralds to be used as gazing-stones to

relieve bleary, tired or weak eyes, and to relax the optic nerve and

restore proper sight.

For best results in magic, or so the old magicians recorded, an

emerald should be set in silver or copper (a metal belonging to

Venus).

If you wish to bring love into your life, purchase an emerald and

charge it with your magical need, through visualization and perhaps

by placing near a green candle (perhaps praying to Venus, Aphrodite

or Isis). After this ritual, wear or carry the emerald somewhere

near your heart. Do this in such a way that it cannot be seen by

others. When you meet a future love, you'll know it wasn't the

visible jewel that attracted her or him to you. (Macha's note: if

you wear the emerald against your skin, do not be surprised if you

feel the stone reacting in a gentle way toward this person as well,

especially if the person is true of heart, or in a agitated way if

the person has ill will.)

The emerald had/has a mystic religious significance at one time or

another to many religions, including Christianity. The Christians

looked at this stone as a symbol of triumph over sin. This stone

was often carried or worn as an amulet to focus the mind on

spiritual matters.

To the Muslims, the emerald represents their first heaven. In

India, if one gives an emerald to a deity one could expect to

receive the gift of knowledge of the soul and eternal life; they

associated the emerald with Taurus.

Rosicrucians believe that wearing a gold ring set with an emerald on

the solar finger of the left hand will manifest one's desires and

wishes.

Mystics have long considered the emerald to be of the highest worth

among gemstones, because of its strong ability to help with all

types of divination, whether of a spiritual or secular nature.

Perhaps the most curious usage of emeralds comes from India where

ancient Hindu writings prescribe wearing the stone during sleep to

halt nocturnal emissions.

In the Manta Valley in Peru, the people were said t have an emerald

the size of an ostrich egg, which they called the Goddess

Esmeralda. Smaller emeralds, called "daughters," were brought to

this goddess' temple as offerings. When the Spanish invaded South

America during the 16th century, they looted the Temple of the Sun

with its large emerald collection, but never found the Temple of

Esmeralda. Its location is still a mystery!

As with other gemstones, the emerald was also used for medicinal

purposes. In the East, Physicians said the emerald cured epilepsy,

removed pain, stopped vomiting, was an antidote to stings and bites,

remedied jaundice and diabetes, and could cure leprosy if applied as

a poultice.

As late as the 17th century, salts and tinctures of emerald were

used to treat dysentery, heart disease, melancholy, and head pains.

And just like the mystics believed, some doctors believed that this

stone cured inflammation and infections of the eye as well as

enhanced sight. Actually, no pharmacy or alchemist's shop in the

Middle Ages would have been without emerald. For centuries,

engravers kept an emerald at hand to gaze at when their eyes tired.

Emerald has long been connected with the Goddess Diana/Artemis,

deity of the forest, guardian of women and young girls, and the

patroness of childbirth. Emerald talismans came to be worn by women

to stop miscarriage and grant an easy delivery.

This stone is also popular among travelers and sailors as a talisman

to ensure a safe journey, and emerald is an effective gem of

protection. Emerald was/is also used as a charm or talisman of

protection against enchantment, the evil eye, poisonous snakes,

epilepsy, hemorrhages, demonic possession, and to exorcise evil

spirits.

To dream of an emerald signifies worldly benefit and goodness, a

time of happiness where you have much to look forward to.

Now, on to those hair-raising tales…As with some diamonds and other

stones, the emerald is also touched by stories of malevolent stones

or those which seemed to be cursed. One infamous tale is of a ring

belonging to a Russian royal family where the Empress Elizabeth

Petrovna gave this ring to Peter of Holstein-Gottorp, who later

became Peter III of Russia. He was later assassinated. The Emperor

Paul wore the same ring and he was strangled to death. Unwilling to

dispose of the ring, Alexander II had it reset; it slid off his

finger when he was assassinated. Alexander III was smarter than the

others; although he kept the ring in the royal treasury, he refused

to wear it. However, his son, Nicholas II wore it, and his entire

family was murdered during the Russian Revlolution. The whereabouts

of the ring is unknown.

Another story of a possibly wicked emerald is that of Philip II of

Spain who ruled during the era of the Spanish Armada when a certain

circle appeared. This gold ring held an emerald cut to contain a

ring of diamonds. The church that received the ring as a gift was

destroyed by fire. The ring was rescued from the fire, given to a

museum which was soon after struck by lightening and seriously

damaged. Those in authority secretly buried the ring in an iron

coffin; its resting place is unknown.

To sum up its magical or healing abilities and attributes, emerald

is a high-energy stone and is a valuable healing stone. It treats

and strengthens the eyes, lungs, heart, muscles, spine and immune

and nervous systems. It is said wearing this gem on the little

finger, ring finger, over your heart or on the right arm is most

potent. It's not necessary to wear it constantly.

Emerald can attract prosperity, peace, balance, love, healing, and

patience. It can reveal the truth, especially regarding a lover,

and protects against all enchantments. Helps with the memory and

speech; sharpens the wits. Softens arrogance and balances

energies. Emerald helps one to use creative abilities along with

focused organization. Associated with Venus and the Moon, the

emerald imparts creativity, strengthens artistic abilities, and

opens the way to new beginnings. It's divinatory meaning is

fertility and it can be used in magic or ritual to aid fertility.

A tonic for the mind, body and spirit, emerald aids in the alignment

of all the bodies. Extremely balancing for one seeking truth. A

lack of vitality results from a lack of balance in the physical

body. Without vitality, nothing happens…the energy is dead; life is

a drag. Emerald creates harmony in the heart, from which vitality

is said to flow. It enhances joy and the positive qualities of

life. (Macha's note: when I am down or depressed, I gaze at my

emerald and it makes me feel better, more positive, and I become

full of hope.)

Emerald give physical, emotional and mental equilibrium. It focuses

intention and raises consciousness, and fosters positive action.

Emerald is also said to ward off negativity and strengthens

spiritual insight. It helps with and enhances dreams, meditation,

and the striving for deeper spiritual insight. Can also foretell

the future if used as a scrying stone.

As with quartz crystals, emerald can charge and magnetize other

stones or objects with its power, as well as focus this power in a

powerful beam. It is said that the week prior to, and following, a

Full Moon is the best time to use an emerald with the night of the

Full Moon being the strongest.

An emerald set in sterling silver ring is an eye-catching piece of

jewelry without a doubt. The combination of silver and emerald also

sensitizes the wearer to intuitive ideas and psychic aid,

particularly in the field of the creative arts. It is also a good

overall intuition booster. It provides inspiration and infinite

patience, enhances psychic abilities and wisdom from the mental

plane.

Sleep with an emerald under your pillow to help you remember dreams

and astral travels, and banish forgetfulness in most forms.

The emerald has an important folklore background as a gem linked

with the spiritual parts of the self, often considered the symbol of

psychic power and immortality. The emerald is a great gemstone

for "worriers" to clear their minds.

In closing, the more important folklore of the gemstone is its

history of being called "the Stone of all Love."

Well, the Stone of All Love is quite a gem, and, now that we own one

of these beautifully enchanting (perhaps enchanted) visions from the

Earth, how do we care for it? Although Emeralds are one of the

harder gemstones, this does not mean that they can be subjected to

harsh cleaning. They should never be cleaned with steam or any

cleaning solution that contains petroleum distillates or any other

organic solvent, even if the cleaning solution is a

recommended "jewelry cleaner". Most of these are not compatible

with the oil treatment of Emeralds.

Emeralds should not be placed in ultrasonic cleaning equipment at

all, either, and should not be exposed to high heat. A good rule of

thumb is that if the cleaning solution you use is too hot for you to

put your hand in, you should not place your Emerald in it.

Clean your Emerald gently with a warm, mild detergent solution and a

very soft brush, such as a worn-out toothbrush (Macha uses a old

toothbrush and Softsoap, and Dawn or Woolite sometimes; however, I

have used toothpaste on my gold, diamonds and emerald, but don't

keep an emerald in toothpaste for too long!). It is recommended

that you soak your Emerald in a dishwashing-detergent solution

similar to that used to clean regular household dishes, for

approximately ten minutes. Then, clean the emerald and mounting

with a soft brush. The Emerald should then be rinsed with warm

water, and patted dry. There are a couple cleaning solutions on the

market strictly for colored gemstones and pearls; look for those at

a jeweler or even the jewelry department at Wal-mart. Do not leave

your Emerald immersed in the cleaning or rinse solution any longer

than is necessary. Cleaning should be done no more frequently than

is necessary, and in no cases more than several times a year.

(Macha's note: I clean my emerald when it's very close to losing its

transparent beauty, which means that dirt and smudge is on the

underside of the stone, in the mount, and is fogging up the clarity

of the stone. I can estimate that I clean it 2 - 3 times per year,

unless I am going to use it in divination, meditation, magic or

ritual.) Also, try to avoid bathing and swimming while wearing a

real emerald. These things can cause the emerald to become dirtier

faster, as soap and other elements can build up under the stone;

soap and chemicals can even cause damage. Also, there is a chance

of losing your precious gem down the drain during a shower, or while

swimming in pools, lakes, etc., and you may never see it again.

Remember, just because you lose it, doesn't mean your losing it was

meant to be. Every action has a reaction and it's loss can be due

to negligence and not fate.

After many years of wear, you may wish to have your Emerald re-

oiled. Most local Jewelers are familiar with this process and can

provide this service. Also, feel free to call a jeweler with

questions about the care of your gemstone, including how and when to

clean it, and what to use.

**

SOURCES:

~Gem Suite

http://www.gemsuite.com/gemstones/emeralds/

~International Colored Gemstone Association

http://www.gemstone.org/index.html

Books:

~Crystal Enchantments by D.J. Conway

~Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic by Scott

Cunningham

~Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide by Antoinette Matlins P.G. & AC

Bonanno F.G.A., P.G., A.S.A.

~Stone Power by Dorothee L. Mella

~The Illustrated Guide to Crystals by Judy Hall

~The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk

 

 

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