The rare and captivating green gem Emerald easily earns its reputation as the King of Jewels. This association is believed to have been popularized by Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. It is reported that she adorned herself and decorated her palace with the beautiful green gem. She is thought to have given it to foreign dignitaries, as a symbol of her wealth and power.
The ancient Egyptians believed the green color of Emerald represented regrowth of the earth during springtime. They therefore attributed the gem to regrowth, aiding fertility and helping during childbirth.
Legend has it that the Roman Emperor Nero watched gladiator fights through a large transparent Emerald as he found its green color soothing and calming. Others believed that the green color soothed tired eyes, lifted depression, reduced anxiety and stress, warded off evil spirits and promoted mental clarity. Even today the color green is believed to reduce stress – when in the presence of green, your pituitary gland is stimulated and your muscles are more relaxed.
The earliest reference to Emerald in Western literature came from Aristotle. He was a huge advocate of the gemstone and wrote about his belief that carrying an Emerald aided the owner’s ability to speak with confidence and ease during business deals. He also thought that Emerald brought good luck and would help with matters of litigation, helping the outcome be in the owner's favor.
Legend has it that the Roman Emperor Nero watched gladiator fights through a large transparent Emerald as he found its green color soothing and calming.
Green is the sacred color of Islam. According to Indian mythology, the name Emerald was first translated from Sanskrit as 'marakata', meaning 'the green of growing things'. Indian rulers believed the stone brought good fortune and luck to the owner. There are ancient stories of India that speak about cities of spectacular wealth with temples made entirely of Emeralds and other precious treasures and plants dripping with Emeralds and Rubies.
In fact, one of the largest Emeralds known to man is the Mogul Mughal Emerald weighing in at 217.80 carats. It is engraved with beautiful naskh script on one side and an intricate floral pattern on the other side and is dated back to 1695 - 1696 AD.
Legend has it that the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec empire, Hernando Cortes, attempted to bring huge amounts of Emerald that he took from the Aztecs back home with him. However, one of his ships caught fire and sank in the Bermuda Triangle, and intricately carved Emeralds in the shape of flowers and fish and other rare Emeralds and precious stones, including an Emerald the size of a man’s palm, were all lost forever.
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