St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon and it will be full of all things green! Emeralds are the perfect gemstone to wear on St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some fun facts about Emeralds!
Photo: Gabriel & Co.
- The emerald is a part of “the precious four” gemstones (diamond, ruby, sapphire).
- The green color is linked to spring and rebirth.
- It is the birthstone for May.
- It is a relatively hard gemstone but many have inclusions which makes it difficult to set.
- Emeralds without inclusions are rare and therefore often worth more than diamonds.
- The first known emeralds were mined in Egypt around 3500BC
- Over 4,000 years ago, most of the ancient emerald jewelry came from the Cleopatra mines in Egypt.
- Today, Colombia yields the largest amount of emeralds, contributing to more than 50% of all emerald production worldwide.
- Emerald is made of beryl just like aquamarine but gets its green coloring from very small amounts of chromium and/or vanadium.
- Emerald was once believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria.
- Wearing and emerald was thought to reveal truth or falseness and make one an eloquent speaker.
- The color green is thought to relieve stress and eye strain.
- Cleopatra was known for her passion for emeralds.
- Emerald is commonly cut in a rectangular step cut called emerald cuts due to the crystal shape.
- Emeralds have lower density than diamonds so a one-carat emerald will look larger in size than a one-carat diamond.
Sources:
Tacoma Jewelry Store
We buy & sell diamond engagement & wedding rings, gold, diamonds & Rolex.