The Story of Emeralds
Why are Emeralds revered today? Why is it considered auspicious, and what is the history behind it?
Cleopatra, renowned for her deep affection for Emerald jewelry, showcased her devotion during her prosperous 21-year reign. Taking full possession of Egypt’s emerald mines, she exerted her authority and generously bestowed emeralds upon dignitaries, adorning herself and her palace with these beautiful gems. The Egyptians believed emeralds symbolized fertility, immortality, and good health, associating their green hue with speech restoration.
Egypt continued to be a source of Emeralds for thousands of years by the Romans, Byzantines, and finally, the Islams. The mines in Egypt disintegrated when the Spaniards discovered Emeralds in Columbia. The gems in Columbia became known for their better quality and fewer inclusions.
The gemstone trade traversed across various shores, with Spanish traders selling to Portuguese explorers. Through the territory of Goa, which was under Portuguese control for over four centuries, high-quality emeralds started finding their way to Indian royalty and jewelers. Sanskrit manuscripts indicate that emeralds were revered for nearly as long as their Egyptian counterparts, but their popularity soared during the 1500s-1600s. This period coincided with the Mughal expansion in India, and the Mughal royalty developed a profound fondness for jewelry. Indian artisans created some of the most exquisite examples of royal jewels and treasures, including the renowned Moghul Emerald, which can rival any treasure of royalty across the globe.
According to an account by a British trader residing near Shah Jehangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, it was reported that the Shah possessed a treasury containing over half a million carats of emeralds.
Emerald became famous as people believed it had mystical powers. Many wore emeralds, which were considered to bring wealth to those who wore them. It is also thought that emeralds strengthen memory and sharpen one’s wit. It is said that emeralds can heal ailments when worn on the body.
Finally, In Pliny, The Elder’s words who revered Emeralds wrote:
“Indeed, no stone has a color that is more delightful to the eye, for whereas the sight fixes itself with avidity upon the green grass and foliage of the trees, we have all the more pleasure in looking upon the emerald, there is no green in existence more intense than this. And then, besides, of all the precious stones, this is the only one that feeds the sight without satiating it…If the sight has been wearied or dimmed by intensively looking at any other subject, it is refreshed and restored by gazing at this stone. And lapidaries who cut and engrave fine gems know this well, for they have no better method of restoring their eyes than by looking at the emerald, its soft, green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude.”