Emerald
A guide for the history, meaning, metaphysical uses, purposes, crystal healing, and properties of the viridian Emerald.
Stone of Ancient Legend and Power
Emerald is a beryl beauty that bears a most verdant and alluring hue that is nearly unrivalled in its family. For centuries, many have praised this stone for its vert charm. With that, we will dive into the history of the stone that has a past as rich as its colour.
History of the Stone
It certainly seems that emerald's glory is as old as time. It found divine obeisance in ancient Peruvian society. It is mentioned as a stone in the Breastplate of Aaron, appears in the Bible a few times, was considered one of King Solomon's stones, was mined, and respected, in Egypt, and was admired by the Greeks and Romans. In short, there was no shortage of love for this stone.
One of the most coveted stones on Earth, the emerald has long appeared in lapidary and other artistic avenues. Its beauty was rarely ignored, as the road to finely crafted crowns was paved with emeralds. Medieval writings sometimes compared righteous men to the emerald, such as knights and saints. Other medieval fantasies and folklore detail that the emerald is the bane of adulterers, as it can detect them by merely touching one's skin. In one notable example, the King of Hungary had the emerald in his ring shatter to pieces when it brushed upon the queen's skin. Therefore, the queen was deemed an adulterer. In this aspect, the emerald came to be known as a stone of chastity in general.
But it was not always just a pretty stone or an instrument for weeding out philanderers. Emerald was important to alchemical endeavours, even if primarily for its colour due to symbolic connotations. The Ancients also loved this green stone. Some tales, though a few may be apocryphal, describe Greeks and Romans commissioning for gorgeous emerald figures. Other emerald artefacts include scarabs and rings. Much like medieval alchemists, people would attribute special, almost magical, qualities to the stone. Emeralds were often engraved, but the Greeks did not value the emerald as much as the Romans. It is the birthstone of May and is dedicated to Venus.
A lot of people prefer to wear emeralds set in gold, and the stone is especially popular with rings. Some like to have lighter colored and smaller stones to accent the crowning emerald.
Metaphysical Properties
A great stone ought to have great powers. Emerald has been subject to quite a few metaphysical properties over the years. Some believed it could give people the ability to see into the future, could thwart a witch's or warlock's spellcraft, could help someone with their memory, help improve a person's speechcraft, fortify one's knowledge, make one wiser with spending money, cure diseases, if not prevent them, invigorate people, work as a laxative, bring harmony in love or marriage, and much more. Below we list the properties that are associated with the stone, and you will see that many are properties that are reminiscent of the past.
Within emerald one may find ancient power and energy. With emerald comes harmony and stability. There is a sense of hope with emerald, too.
According to the beliefs of crystal healers, emerald is associated with the concept of eternity, which is often considered a representation of spiritual timelessness. They believe that working with emerald can help one in releasing mortal fears and anxieties, thereby facilitating a deeper connection with divine love. Moreover, they claim that emerald can encourage the practice of letting go of fears and embracing the blessings and abundance that the universe has to offer.
According to crystal healers, emerald is a heart chakra stone that helps in clearing the space around the heart chakra, promoting self-love and care. They claim it to have a calming effect and may help remove any obstacles that may hinder the flow of love and compassion. They associate this lovely crystal with growth, love, and the power of rebirth. Symbolically, emerald carries the meaning of eternity and everlasting love.
However, it is important to note that these are beliefs of crystal healers and not scientifically proven facts.
Scientific Information
Emerald Pronunciation: /ɛməɹəld/ (em-uh-ruh-ld)
Hardness: 7-8
Lustre: Vitreous
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Etymology: Emerald comes from Old French, esmeraude, which comes from Latin smaragdus, which comes from Greek, smaragdos, meaning green gem.
Location: Global; many from Colombia.
May be commonly misspelled as something like emeral rings or emeral jewelry.
The Wrap Up
Emerald is legendary in terms of beauty and supernatural power. It fits perfectly in any ring and works wonders just as well as a tumbled stone or as a raw stone. There is no surprise that emerald saw worship and has a divine relationship. The same goes for its use in engagement rings or gifts of love, as it is symbolic of hope and harmony.
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Crystals and gemstones are nature's true beauties, but they are not a substitute for seeking professional medical, legal, health, or financial advice. Crystals and gemstones are to be used in conjunction with any professional care you are receiving and do not provide healing, cures, or other remedies modern medicine can provide. The information provided in our listings with regard to the powers of crystals and gemstones are all derived from personal & professional experience with crystals & gems as well as ancient wisdom and texts documenting knowledge gained from civilizations around the world. They are not backed by the FDA or scientific/government resources. Our crystals & gemstones are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or malady. Our crystals and gemstones are also not a replacement for seeking professional legal advice, financial advising, or any other field of professional expertise. Crystals and gemstones are intended to be appreciated for their natural power and beauty, and used alongside modern, professional methods.
Sources
Kozminsky, Isidore. The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones. New York, The Knickerbocker Press, 1922.
Kunz, George Frederick. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1913.
Auble, Cassandra. The Cultural Significance of Precious Stones in Early Modern England. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2011.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/emerald