From King Arthur and Cleopatra to Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor, people have been enamored by emeralds for millennia. Aristotle touted the emerald’s ability to aid in litigation and increase one’s savvy in business communications. Roman emperor Nero supposedly watched the gladiators through an emerald, as he found the color calming and soothing to his eyes.Many cultures around the world have prized the emerald and attributed fantastic characteristics to this beautiful green stone. According to lore, emeralds could cure low IQ, poor eyesight and infertility. They were thought to bring good luck, creativity, eloquence and the ability to foresee the future, as well as work against enchantments and spells. Long held as a symbol of fidelity, during the Middle Ages emeralds were believed to keep a woman chaste (the men, not so much).
Like aquamarine, emerald is a variety of beryl. Most are mined in Brazil , Columbia , and Zambia , with some notable stones having been discovered in western North Carolina
Take care to protect your emerald from hard knocks and scratches by removing them before housework, sports, or gardening. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh detergents.
