Named from the Persian word for green, emerald, the "gem of spring," is a rich green type of beryl. Compared to other types of beryl, emerald is relatively rare, for the chromium which gives it its color rarely occurs in acid indigenous rocks which produce beryl and rocks which produce chromium rarely contain beryl. Emeralds are also rarely without a flaw. To use the term "a flawless emerald" is usually a metaphor for the unattainable. The internal flaws, fractures, fissures, inclusions, and vacancies found within an emerald are referred to as the jardin (garden) by jewelers because they often take floral forms. Most emeralds are dull stones, opaque or semi-translucent rather than transparent.
Note : Buyers beware! To hide surface flaws, true emeralds are often oiled. Once they dry out, they are not nearly so attractive. So called Soude emeralds are actually green glass over colorless beryl or quartz. Indian emeralds are cracked quartz stained with green dye. When red dye is used, this is called an Ancona ruby, Chinese ruby, or fire stone. So called red emeralds are a red form of beryl better classified as bixbite.
Emeralds are primarily associated with the Great goddess in her Spring forms and the goddess Venus/Aphrodite in particular. Mediation on the stone can aid in invocations of her, and emerald is especially powerful on Friday. Friday is named for Freya, Venus' Norse equivalent. It is said she used the stone to divine the infidelity of lovers by its changing color.
The Egyptians also revered this stone, carving into the likeness of a Scarab beetle, and the Gnostic doctrine of Hermes Trismegistus was carved into the Emerald Tablet, a tablet formed of uat "matrix emerald" and containing the Words of Creation. It has been claimed that emeralds came from the planet Venus or emit the energy of Saturn, and that they are also sacred stones of Atlantis.
According to Jewish lore, God gave Solomon four precious stones symbolizing the four cardinal points and mastery of creation. One of these stones was an emerald. Medieval scholars claimed the Holy Grail was carved from a single emerald which had fallen from Satan's crown as he Fell. The Moslems also used emerald amulets, carving verses of the Koran into them.
Emerald was also held in high esteem by the Incas. At the time of the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1531, Manta was the epicenter of worship for the Emerald Goddess Umina. Her likeness was carved into an enormous emerald. Her "daughters," smaller emerald crystals, were collected by her priests as offerings from the faithful. This was all seized by the conquistadors. Their missionary priest encouraged the soldiers to "test" the stones by smashing them with hammers, insisting that real emeralds would not shatter. The Father did not subject his own collection to the "test" and later sold his hoard in Panama at a huge price.
Emerald has a wide range of magickal applications, from protecting expectant mothers through childbirth to preserving vows of chastity. It is a stone of healthy romance and the fulfillment of love. It is also said to lose its rich color when exposed to lying, treachery, or evil. It is associated with immortality and incorruptibility and emphasizes morality and moral decisions. According to oriental tradition emeralds strengthen the memory, increase intelligence and eloquence, and gives the wearer the ability to foresee the future. In fact, some claimed it would detach from its setting to warn its owner of impending illness. Women after menopause are encouraged to wear this stone to increase psychic ability. Some sources say emerald works best with diamond.
Emerald aids in aligning the mind, body, and spirit. It also helps balance emotions and quiet more disruptive ones. Dreams, meditation, and spiritual insights are enhanced by this gemstone, and it represents the potential divinity within us all. These stones affect prosperity, love, kindness, tranquility, inspiration, balance, healing, and patience. Legal matters are positively influenced by emeralds.
Emerald strengthens the heart, liver, kidneys, immune system, and nervous system. Some sources claim that emerald strengthened the back bone and alleviated diabetes. During the seventeenth century, the list grew very long to include epilepsy, malaria, colic, heartburn, colitis, and demonic possession. One emerald in the mouth and the other over the abdomen was considered a cure for dysentery. The eyes are thought to especially benefit from emerald, as testified by many civilizations. Conversely, the eyes of snakes were thought to be damaged by emeralds, and they could even go blind. The heart and solar plexus chakras are influenced by this stone. Simply soaking the gem in water and drinking the liquid is thought to be an effective, nearly universal cure.
Cancers, Libras, Taurus, and Scorpios are thought to benefit most from this gem. Emeralds are also recommended to athletes, chiropractors, masseurs, and optometrists. Lecturers, marriage counselors, and people working in close quarters might also find this stone helpful.