| Valued since ancient times, a fine emerald can be | | | | Emerald History and Folklore |
| more expensive than a quality diamond of the | | | | * Emeralds are historically thought to enhance the |
| same carat weight. | | | | clairvoyance of their wearers. |
| Emeralds are green members of the well-liked | | | | * Egyptian emeralds were introduced to the world |
| beryl family of minerals. The green color occurs | | | | about four thousand years ago, but the stones |
| when pure, clear beryl contains either chromium | | | | from those mines are a duller green and are not |
| or vanadium. | | | | considered top quality by today's standards. |
| Beryl occurs in several other colours, with shades | | | | * Mummies were often buried with emeralds and |
| conditional on the impurities that Mother Nature | | | | the gems were favored in ancient Rome, but |
| has mixed into its otherwise clear formula. Blue | | | | some think that many of the stones called |
| beryl is regarded as aquamarine. Yellows are | | | | emeralds in ancient times were really peridot. |
| usually simply called yellow beryl and golden beryl. | | | | * Historically , emeralds are worn to promote |
| The term bixbite refers to red beryl, a variation | | | | healing and augment love and contentment. |
| that is even more rare than emeralds. | | | | Common Emerald Treatments |
| About Emeralds | | | | Most emeralds are treated to enhance their |
| * Emerald hardness ranges from 7.5 to eight on | | | | appearance. Some of the stones have inclusions |
| the Mohs scale. Compare turquoise at 5 to six and | | | | that make them look natural. True synthetic |
| diamonds, the toughest substance, at 10. Quality | | | | gems have the same chemical characteristics as |
| emeralds are also found in India, South Africa, | | | | their natural counterparts, but a credible jeweler |
| Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Zimbabwe. | | | | will divulge a gem is lab-grown. Always ask if |
| Recent reveals in North Carolina may provide us | | | | gemstones are made or natural, and if you are |
| with quality emeralds if the mine continues to | | | | purchasing a pricey gemstone have it checked by |
| provide stones. | | | | a testing lab. |