Handy Pocket Guide to Asian Gemstones by Carol Clark

Author:Carol Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0726-7
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

An unusually large emerald crystal with a cut and polished gem

Emerald rough

A classic emerald cut

ICA photos

The Emerald in History

Emerald is one of the most beloved of gems, with a colorful and long history, earning it the rank of "precious" stone, along with diamond, ruby and sapphire.

The ancient Egyptians discovered and cherished emeralds 2,000 years before the reign of Cleopatra. The rugged desert hills between the Nile and the Red Sea in upper Egypt yielded the first stones, at a site now known as Cleopatra's Mines. Another important early source of the gems was Columbia. The indigenous Indians of South America mined and treasured emeralds for centuries. The Columbian gems are typically more translucent and richer in color than those from ancient Egypt. When the Spanish arrived in South America, they immediately recognized the value of Columbian emeralds and began trading them around the world.

The biggest market was India. Evidently no source of emerald existed in India during ancient times, however the gem found its way there and became a favorite of royalty, including the Mogul ruler Shah Jehan. The insatiable appetite of Indian rulers for precious gems made India the center of the world's gem trade for thousands of years.

Emeralds enjoyed a special place in the pantheon of gem worshippers. The ancient Egyptians interpreted the green of emerald as a symbol for renewal, and would often use the stone to decorate the sarcophagus of a revered mummy. The restfulness of the emerald hue was believed to have restorative power for eyesight. In India, emeralds were also considered antidotes to poison.

To further boost their magical properties, words from holy scriptures were sometimes carved onto the face of large emerald crystals. Indian craftsmen perfected the art of emerald carving, creating lasting works of art such as the 217-carat Great Mogul Emerald, beautifully inscribed in 1695 with a Shiite prayer. The gem was sewn onto the garments or turban of Mogul emperor Aurangzeb for ceremonial occasions.

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