Facts About Emeralds

Since the time of ancient legends, the more recent history of emeralds begins in South America in 1568 when the Spanish Conquistadors began mining emeralds at the Muzo mine, still the world's largest known deposit.  Finally the Spanish, almost by accident, found the mines and began mining and producing for the Spanish crown.  The rarity of emeralds has been evidenced by the struggle to find them, which has been the main factor in its high value over the centuries.

As in diamonds, the few famous large emeralds, scattered around the world, are often known by their names.  The two most famous are the Devonshire Emerald and the Patricia Emerald.  The Devonshire Emerald was given to the sixth Duke of Devonshire by Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil in 1831.  Uncut, it weighs 1,385.95 carats.  The Patricia Emerald, located in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, weighs 630 carats.  Five unnamed large emerald crystals from Muzo are located in the vault of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia and they weigh between 1,100 carats to 1,796 carats, as well as one weighing 220 carats.  A Russian emerald in the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History weighs 1,965 carats.  The Smithsonian Institute in Washington has some notable, fine quality emeralds, one of them an 858 carat crystal considered to be the finest quality in existence.  There are also some notable emeralds in the Smithsonian from discoveries in North Carolina in the 1960's and 1970's. (GIA)

The largest collection of emeralds is said to be the crown jewels of Iran with pieces mounted in a belt, the Pahlavi Crown, necklaces and even the Nadir Throne itself with between 1500-2000 carats of emeralds.  The Crown of the Andes is probably the most famous single piece of emerald jewelry with 453 stones (1,521 cts.) including the Atahualpa Emerald (45 cts.) named after one of the last Inca emperors.

Emerald Lore

The ancients ascribed numerous magical and mystical properties to this most precious of green gemstones.  In ancient Rome, for example, emeralds were believed to have a soothing effect on the soul.  Modern scientists have shown this myth to have some basis in fact: tests indicate that the human eye is more sensitive to green than any other color.  Middle Age seers used emeralds to foretell the future, as well as to ward off evil spirits and cure ailments ranging from bad eyesight to infertility.  The stone was also said to improve memory and bring great wealth to its wearer.

Healing Properties

Emerald is said to offer physical, emotional and spiritual balance.

Although Emerald is a stone of prosperity and riches, it is not just a materialistic stone.  It also encourages spiritual growth, clear vision, memory, faith, intelligence and communication, inspiration, joy, intuition, clairvoyance, love, romance, beauty, harmony, tranquility, serenity, clarity, cleansing, justice, friendship and unity.  It seems that more kinds of physical healing have been ascribed to the emerald than to almost any other stone.

• Relationships: Emerald brings security in love.  It allows access to the mystery we hold deepest in our hearts, thereby healing and activating our heart's desire.  Many women over the centuries have chosen this gemstone over diamond as their wedding stone.  Emerald's harmonious energies help make your relationship more successful and promote domestic bliss.
• Serenity: Emeralds have a tranquilizing affect on the heart and mind, inspiring calm, clear assurance.
• Creativity: It is also a gemstone related to abundance and creativity.
• Heart Chakra: Emerald is excellent for protecting the heart Chakra.  Your Heart Chakra can be opened or activated using an Emerald.
• Physical plane: Aids healing in the areas of eyesight, upper respiratory tract, liver function, strengthens the immune system, fortifies the heart and detoxifies the blood.  Breathing, heart, lymph nodes, blood, thymus, pancreas, balance blood sugar, childbirth, labor, eyesight.