History
of Emeralds
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Throughout
history, the hue of emeralds was believed to have a calming, soothing,
healing effect on the wearer. There is some scientific basis for
this - green is the 'purest' light, the least fatiguing to the
eye. This purity is also the reason why leafy plants are green
- green light contains no nutrition, therefore it is the only
part of sunlight that is not absorbed for photosynthesis by cholorophyll
pigments.
Emeralds and the Ancients
Numerous Islamic texts refer to the green Garden of Paradise as 'carpeted in emeralds.' Emeralds also play a role in other world religions. According to one version of the legend, the 'Holy Grail', for which King Arthur and his Knights sought in vain, was carved from one large emerald which fell from Lucifer's crown when he was cast out of heaven. India's Shah Jahan, the greatest Hindu Mogul, had sacred talismans fashioned from emeralds with carved inscriptions.
The ancient Romans dedicated the emerald to Venus - goddess of love.
Emeralds were used in medieval times to guard against evil spirits and foretell the future. They were believed to cure ailments ranging from bad eyesight to infertility. Emeralds, being the 'color of spring', have traditionally symbolised hope, spring eternal, new life. The French term for the inclusions naturally occuring in emeralds is 'jardin' - meaning 'garden'.
Conquistadores Greedy for Emeralds
The Spanish Conquistadores were greedy for gold when they penetrated the South
American jungles, but they were equally eager to find emeralds. In Colombia, they
discovered mines which to this day are considered the best source of top quality
emeralds. In Mexico, they plundered the gem treasures of Montezuma's Aztec halls.
Some of the largest emeralds in the world were probably among the treasures lost
when Spanish galleons were ship-wrecked on the high seas. The legend of the great
lost emeralds links the ancient past with the present - from the Inca story of
the ostrich egg-sized Emerald Goddess, to movies like 'Romancing the Stone', where
a heart-shaped emerald called 'El Corazon' is discovered in Mexico.
Emerald Birthstone And Anniversaries
The emerald is May's birthstone. It is also a suitable present for couples celebrating their 20th or 35th Wedding Anniversary. According to Arab astrology, the emerald represents Sagittarius, November. 22 - December 21. In the Hindu tradition, emerald is the zodiacal gem for Cancer, June 22 - July 22.
Next: Buying Emeralds
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