What is the history of the emerald?

History of Emerald Emerald gemstones were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old. Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emerald gemstones. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.

What are some fun facts about emeralds?

10 Interesting Facts About Emeralds

  • They were first mined by the Ancient Egyptians.
  • The name ‘Emerald’ comes from the Greek ‘smaragdus’.
  • More that 50% of the world’s emeralds come from Colombia.
  • Emeralds have associations with clairvoyance.
  • Flaws, or inclusions, in these gemstones can be valuable.

Is there a history behind the emerald birthstone?

May’s birthstone is emerald. Known for its beauty, this green gemstone has been revered since Cleopatra reigned in Egypt, the Incas conquered the Andes Mountains, and emperors ruled India. The lustrous green color of May’s birthstone is a symbol of wealth and abundance, love and passion, and success and wisdom.

How was emerald discovered?

Emeralds were discovered in South America in the 16th century by the Spanish. They were used by the Incas well before this discovery. The Spanish traded emeralds across Europe and Asia for precious metals, which opened up the emerald trade to the rest of the world.

Why is emerald called emerald?

The name emerald comes from the Greek smaragdos via the Old French word esmeralde, and really just means “green gemstone.” It belongs to the mineral species of beryl, which also includes blue aquamarine, pink morganite, golden heliodor and the pale green beryl.

How is emerald created?

Synthetic emeralds are referred to as ‘created emeralds’ and have been produced by flux-growth or hydrothermal processes. In the flux-growth process, crystals are created by dissolving chromium, beryllium and other elements in a molten flux and allowing crystallisation to occur on a seed of beryl.

Why are emeralds green?

Emeralds are formed when chromium, vanadium, and iron are present in the mineral beryl. The varying presence of these three elements gives emerald its range of color. Chromium and vanadium make an intense green color. Iron gives the stone a bluish tint.

What does an emerald symbolize?

Through time, the emerald has been known as a symbol of truth and love. In ancient Greece and Rome, emerald was said to be the gemstone of the goddess Venus, purveyor of love and hope. On the other side of the world, emeralds were revered by the Incas and believed by the Egyptians to be a source of eternal life.

What does the emerald symbolize?

Who first found emeralds?

The first known emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 BC into the 1700s. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. Emeralds from what is now Colombia were part of the plunder when sixteenth-century Spanish explorers invaded the New World.

Who created emerald?

French chemist Jacques Joseph Ebelman developed the flux process to make emeralds in 1848. However, it was more expensive to synthesize emeralds than to mine them until 100 years later thanks to the efforts of Carroll Chatham of Chatham synthetic emeralds.