The Emerald takes its place in the world of gems as one of the three most popular colored gemstones [sapphires and rubies are the other two!]. The first emerald mines were opened in Egypt, although the exact dates are not known. The Cleopatra emerald mine opened as early as 300 BC. Ancient peoples attributed all kinds of magical qualities to emeralds. Emerald rings and emerald jewelry symbolized fertility and rebirth. Scholars wore emeralds to strengthen their memory and become more eloquent. Lovers wore emerald rings to learn the truth of their loved one's intentions. In the sixteenth century violence became part of the emerald's history when Spanish conquistadors looted thousands of emeralds from the mines in South America. This event put South America on the gemstone map. From this time forward, royalty in many different countries looked to South America for a supply of the beautiful green emerald stones to adorn their rings, necklaces, bracelets and crowns.
Today Colombia,
Brazil, and Zambia
mine most commercial
emeralds.
Several other
countries, such as
Pakistan and
Zimbabwe, mine
smaller amounts.
Although Brazil
produces more
emeralds annually
than any other
country, Colombia
dominates the trade
by setting the
standards for size
and color. It
is Colombian
emeralds against
which all others are
judged. Rarer and
sometimes more
expensive than a
similar-sized
diamond, Colombian
emeralds have a
unique look, a green
lightly touched with
blue. Muzo,
the original mine,
remains the most
important emerald
mine in the world.
