The name emerald is derived from the Greek word smaragdos, which evolved from the Old French word esmeralde, meaning green gemstone. Emeralds are amongst the oldest known gemstones. Sandawana emeralds from Zimbabwe in southern Africa began forming more than 2,500 million years ago, while those from Pakistan are around nine million years old.
Egyptians and Emeralds
Cleopatra’s Mines, situated near Egypt’s Red Sea, are the oldest emerald mines known to man, and evidence suggested the gemstone was mined there between 3000 and 1500 BC. Emeralds were Cleopatra’s favourite stones, which is perhaps the reason the mine was named for her. The Egyptian queen’s jewellery collection included many items adorned with emeralds, and she often presented the gemstone as a gift to visiting dignitaries.
Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs believed that emeralds were a gift from the god Thoth, symbolising spring and eternal youth. The Egyptians also thought an emerald tied around the waist of a woman in childbirth would ease her pain. Images of the goddess Isis and the scarab beetle were often carved into the brilliant green gemstones as a symbol of good luck. Emeralds were also placed on the throats of mummies to protect the souls of the dead, and bring eternal youth in the afterlife.
Emeralds in Ancient Cultures
Green was the colour of Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty and love, so the emerald was her gemstone. An ancient Greek legend claims the god Hermes wrote the laws of magic on an emerald tablet.
According to biblical lore, an emerald that fell from Lucifer's brow when he was cast out of Heaven was transformed into the Holy Grail. Emeralds were favoured by Turkish sultans, and exhibits at Istanbul's Topkapi Palace display jewellery, writing-implements and daggers, all richly adorned with emeralds and other gems.
The treasure chests of the Indian maharajas and mahararanis were filled with many wonderful emeralds. In the Vedas, the holy scriptures of the Indians, references are made to the supposed healing properties of these gemstones. In India the emerald is worn as a symbol of good fortune and wellbeing.
The South American Incas and Aztecs regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. One legend claims that after Hernando Cortés defeated Aztec Emperor Montezuma in the sixteenth century he seized a pyramid-shaped Emerald so big it was visible from a distance of three hundred feet.
Mystic Powers of the Emerald
For centuries green has symbolised beauty and constant love. It is said a stone given to a lover will remain dark and vibrant as long as the couple are faithful to each other. Should the emerald turn pale and lifeless it means someone in the relationship has been unfaithful. If someone intends to harm a person wearing an emerald those intentions will be made known before any wrongdoing takes place.
Many still believe the mystic powers of the emerald are at their peak in spring and during full moon. The emerald is the birthstone of the planet Mercury, and also of the month of May. It is said that wearing an emerald increases one’s mental powers and intellect, as well as gifting its wearer with emotions of sympathy, love and a sense of fairness and justice.
Emeralds are believed to hold mental and physical healing powers. It is claimed they can lift depression, detoxify the blood and cure insomnia. They are said to improve eyesight and cure ailments of the heart, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, backbone and lymph nodes. Emeralds can alleviate the problems associated with diabetes and enhance the immune system.
An emerald can ward off the harmful effects of evil spirits and nightmares, and is said to have the power to destroy black magic. Emeralds are associated with the astrological signs of Taurus and Cancer, and they are the gemstone commemorating 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
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