Unlock the Mystery of Emeralds: Fascinating Facts & History | United Kingdom

One of the popular gemstones today is the emerald. This precious green stone belongs to the four most valuable gemstones, diamond, ruby, and sapphire. Emeralds hold such a striking color that makes people drawn to them. From religious icons to celebrities, they have earned notable admirers thanks to the emeralds' beauty. However, aside from the emerald's eye-catching beauty, what else makes this an irresistible stone? Here are interesting facts about the emerald that will make you love it more.

First and foremost, where did the name "emerald" come from? The word tagged on this precious gemstone is from the Greek word "seadragons," which means "green." Today, this name's origin is also thought to have come from another language: Semitic. Wherever its origin may be, one thing is for sure: emerald will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of those who love it most. For many emerald lovers, the question "will there be enough emeralds for us in this lifetime?" may have already crossed their minds. Since emeralds are rare stone, it is expensive. But despite its high price, many people still get their hands on it. Fortunately, this stone does not only come from one place, it can be found in Colombia, Afghanistan, and Brazil. There's a basis for why emeralds' color is such a sight.

Although it seems as though all the emeralds come in the color green, their valuation is not the same. Regarding pricing, the stone with a deeper green color earns the top price tag. Those with lighter green shades don't get the same valuation as the darker ones. No matter how perfect-looking an emerald is, a real one will always have some inclusions or imperfections. It's like a representation that some beauty has flaws, too. This emerald fact is helpful when examining a stone's authenticity. If someone promises you a green stone with no imperfections, that could be fake. Almost 90% of emeralds in the market are treated ones. This is usually done to remove the all-too-obvious signs of emerald damage on the surface. It's like cleaning the emerald without removing the imperfections included inside. But no need to worry. Usually, only oils and resins are used in treating these precious gemstones to perfection.

The emerald came from the family of beryl. However, stones with the lightest green should not be called "emeralds." Instead, the correct term for it is "green beryl." So what makes an emerald an emerald? Take the time to look into its shade and color. The greener it is, the more possibility it is an emerald stone. Isn't this fact about emeralds so interesting? Since the 1960s, it was decided that gemstones containing chromium would be considered emeralds in the United States. Not only that. Gemstones, which also have the component vanadium, will be regarded as a part of the precious gemstone, the lovely emerald. The gemstone containing vanadium is popularly known as Colombian Emeralds in the US. It is not called emerald in the UK, though. Today, the house that offers the most emerald-cutting services is the company Jaipur.

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Like any other gemstone, emeralds also have significant history and background. Ranging from religious uses to royal significance, these histories and other stories make our love for the emerald stone more significant. What are the mysteries and powers that surround this green gemstone? Find out here. Many people associate this stone with spring and abundance because of the emerald stone's luscious green color. They say that honoring the emerald stone will bring prosperity to agriculture. The Romans also hold the emerald as a tribute to the Goddess of Love, Venus. This precious gemstone is the queen of all green crystals, making it worthy of being used as a deity symbol.

It is a common fact that Egyptians adore gems and all sorts of crystals. It was their way of adding aesthetics to their looks and showing other people their social status and financial capacity. The Pharaohs of Egypt ranked the emerald as one of the most special. They even said that the emerald is a gemstone, which is the gift of the earth. Cleopatra was one of those who adored emeralds and all sorts of green gems. Pompei was one of the wealthiest cities in ancient times. All kinds of riches ranged from intricate pottery to crystals to gold in this place. One of the crystals that were found in this place was the emerald. It is safe to say that people from Pompei also loved this green gemstone.

Aside from Venus, another Greek deity also marks the emerald as his stone. The Greeks believed that the emerald was also the stone of Hermes. They think the stone helps one always to speak the truth. Those who find it hard to speak in public can also use the emerald to be more eloquent in public speaking. Surprisingly, one of the most heartless men to exist in this life had a deep fascination for such a precious, delicate item. It was rumored that emperor Nero watched gladiator matches through his emerald stone, an action perceived by others as a ridiculous form of bragging. But who knows? Maybe he loves the rock that much. Perhaps he used the stone to see clearer and not distract him from the gruesome blood.

For the Aztecs, the emerald wasn't merely a symbol of beauty; it was an emblem of fertility as well. The people from this civilization called the emerald the Stone of the Earth. When you visit their statues that symbolize fertility, you will often see emeralds embedded in them together with other green gemstones. However, the emerald did not always get the great impression we now have for it. In fact, during medieval times, the emerald was regarded as the stone of the devil. They believed that the sparkling green stone, in truth, came from the crown of Lucifer. But fortunately, not all people bought this story. They still connect it to things positive and beautiful. They even believe that emeralds help children behave more. There were several accounts as well that joined the stone to Jesus. They say that the stone symbolizes what the Christian faith and Deity believe in faith, hope, love, and charity. Truth, as well, was part of it. Emerald also played a significant role in alchemy. In medieval times, the alchemist looked to emeralds as a source of new mixture discoveries. They believe that the emerald contributes to the creation of the Philosopher's stone, a stone believed to bring back the vigor of youth and immortality.

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Nowadays, the beautiful emerald no longer has a strange meaning. It is one of the most sought gem pieces by celebrities, wealthy people, and royalty. The stone symbolizes beauty, elegance, class, and timelessness. Emerald engagement rings have become a hit because of their beautiful, out-of-the-ordinary look. Many still believe emeralds contain meaning and use this significance when gifting emerald birthstones to others. Aside from their aesthetic qualities, emeralds are believed to have different significant symbols. One of these is that the said stone is the Stone of Truth. If you want people to always speak the truth to you, you have to wear this stone. When one wears it, it is believed that they will easily attract love and abundance. They say that wearing an emerald gemstone helps you connect to your surroundings. Show more appreciation by wearing emerald gemstones. The most popular emerald jewelry pieces nowadays are the emerald earrings often seen on the red carpet, emerald engagement rings, and emerald necklaces. 

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If you are planning to buy emeralds, remember that this green gemstone is not like a diamond. It is not as sturdy as the clear crystal, so you must take reasonable care when you own it. It is prone to scratching and chipping, so make sure not to wear them in events requiring bumping or rubbing. Always keep them moist and free to avoid clouding. It's no wonder why emeralds have become so popular. These gemstones have the power to make beautiful things happen to your look. It is also a strong example of class, luxury, and elegance. People often perceive that emeralds are more expensive and valuable than diamonds.

In most cases, that is true. If ever you want an emerald, you need not look far. Whether looking for a real one or an emerald dupe, you can find it all at IceCarats.com.