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The name emerald comes from the Greek word "smaragdos" and, translated loosely, really just means "green gemstone." There have been numerous fables and folklore stories which have sprung up concerning this magnificent gemstone. In South America, the Incas and Aztecs regarded this gemstone as a holy stone. Egyptians exploited the gemstone mines and even named them "Cleopatra's Mines."

Emeralds were discovered thousands of years ago, although the details of the original discovery are unknown. The Cleopatra mines are known to have been worked as early as 2000 B.C. They are also thought to have been the first gemstones traded in the markets of Babylon as early as 4000 B.C.

An example of a unique and very large emerald is the "Mogul Emerald." This gemstone dates from 1695, and weighed almost 218 carats, with a height of 4 inches. One side of it has inscribed prayer texts, and the other side has engraved floral ornaments. Christie's of London auctioned this magnificent emerald to an unidentified buyer in 2001 for $2,000,000.

Emeralds occur in a wide variety of shades of green, from slightly bluish green, through an almost yellowish green through to the famous grassy "emerald" green color. The most popular color is a slightly bluish color in a medium green shade. Inclusions and other flaws are often found in emeralds, but these are not negatives aspects of the stone, as they are with other gemstones. Inclusions, in an emerald, are thought to add character and can often be used to convince the purchaser that the stone is natural and not mad made or lab created.

Emeralds are mined from "host rocks." They have been found in many countries around the world, but those from Columbia are at the top of the list with jewelers and gemologists. Some of the best locations of Columbian mines are in Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor. Columbian emeralds are especially fine with a very shining emerald green which has very little bluish tint.

Other worldwide locations known for emerald mining are Madagascar, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Because there have been some very large emerald finds in Brazil and African locations, there is no scarcity of emeralds on the market now.

Emeralds have many metaphysical properties associated with them. They are said to improve intellect and memory and to help with tired eyes and insomnia. They supposedly give wearers the power to see into the future and are associated with greatness in business. They act as emotional stabilizers and help to release emotional trauma and help to govern perception of other's emotions. They are thought to be associated with the heart chakra and open the heart up to love, healing and peace. The emerald is the sacred stone of the goddess Venus. It was thought to preserve love and gifts of emeralds are often given as an expression of love.

Emeralds were used in vintage and antique jewelry from the Victorian times through the Art Deco period, when they were found in abundance. They were often set with diamonds in platinum, gold or silver and can be found in high quality estates. Vintage Jewelry Lane doesn't deal in precious gemstones, but one of my favorite high end jewelry sites does. Lang Antiques has a large variety of Emerald Vintage Jewelry. These photos from their collection show an Art Deco Fur Clip Duette, Victorian pearl and Emerald Bar pin, and Emerald and Diamond Brooch.

The Museum of Natural History has an exhibit with a cup made of pure emerald which sits next to one of the largest Colombian emeralds, known as "Patricia" which weighs over 600 carats. This famous emerald was found in the Colombian Andes in 1920, in the Chivor Mine. It is named for the mine-owner's daughter.

There is also another collection of emeralds in the Bank of Bogota. This collection is five very large and valuable emerald crystals which each weigh between 220 carats and an incredible 1796 carats. The collection of the Bank of Bogot includes five valuable emerald crystals with weights of between 220 and 1796 carats.

Emeralds are considered to be quite hard according to the Mohs' hardness scale - between 7/5 and 8 ranking. However, emeralds are often oiled or fracture filled for better clarity, so they should be treated somewhat carefully as far as temperature changes go. Use chemical cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners with care too. Normally, emeralds are best cleaned using a very soft cloth or brush with cool water to remove any dust.