The emerald is one of the most precious stones in existence.
It is a member of the Beryl family, and owes its color to traces of chromium, vanadium and iron, whose various concentrations offer an extraordinary range of greens, from light to intensely dark, with different shades of brown, yellow or grey.
It has been a gem of fascination and reverence in many cultures for over six thousand years. According to Indian mythology, the name emerald was first translated from Sanskrit as “marakata,” meaning “the green of growing things.” The name we know now is thought to have come from an ancient Persian word, translated into Latin as “smaragdus,” and eventually, over time, converted to “esmeralda.”
Sold in the markets of Babylon as early as 4,000 BC, it was a stone worshipped by the Incas, believed by the Chaldeans to contain a goddess, and highly honoured in all major religions for its spiritual power and beauty. The emerald was regarded as a symbol of eternal life in ancient Egypt, a gift from Thoth, the god of wisdom, and was Queen Cleopatra's favourite gem. The emerald mines in Upper Egypt, rediscovered a hundred years ago, are some of the oldest in the world and were called Cleopatra's mines because of her love of the stone. Emeralds were also talismans of Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Charlemagne and the magnates of India. They have adorned the crowns and royal jewels of many countries for centuries, and fabulous collections and stunning gems are still treasured and displayed by the rich and famous today.
Properties:
The emerald symbolizes abundance and is considered a stone of good luck in general.
It is a stone of inspiration and infinite patience, affirms life and is endowed with great integrity. Known as the stone of success in love, it brings joy and loyalty. It enhances unity, unconditional love and relationship, and fosters friendship. Emerald maintains balance in a relationship. It opens the heart chakra and has a calming effect on emotions.
This stone ensures physical, emotional and mental balance. It eliminates negativity and generates positive actions. By focusing attention and raising consciousness, it provokes positive actions. It enhances psychic abilities, opens clairvoyance and stimulates the acquisition of wisdom from the mental planes.
Psychologically, emerald gives strength of character to overcome life's setbacks. It is a stone of regeneration and recovery, and can heal negative emotions. It enhances the ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
Emerald imparts mental clarity, strengthens memory, inspires deep inner knowledge and broadens vision. It is a stone of wisdom, promoting discernment and truth, and aiding in eloquent expression.
It helps to bring to the surface what is known unconsciously. Emerald encourages mutual understanding within a group of people, stimulating cooperation.
https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/emerald/ - https://www.jewelsforme.com/emerald-meaning - https://www.joya.life/blog/la-increible-esmeralda-bahia/-
Hall, J. (2006) The Crystal Bible. Gaia Editions.
