by Richard Bickmore

Created on: November 20, 2009   Last Updated: November 25, 2009

The word emerald comes from the Greek word "smaragdos", which in ancient times probably referred to any green stone.

Emerald is a member of the Beryl (beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate) family of minerals, and is the sister-stone to the Aquamarine and to the lesser-known Morganite, a pale pink beryl. Emerald is appropriately the May birthstone, the rich green of the gem celebrating the new green of late spring.

As with any gemstone, emerald is shrouded in myth and legend. Astrologically, emerald is associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus, the planet Venus, and Friday. It was often set in copper, the metal associated with Venus. Emerald was thought to build wealth as well as self-esteem, and was also symolic of love and friendship. Louis XI of France owned an emerald to protect himself against epileptic seizures, to which he was prone.

Emerald is a stone of controversy on several levels. The guidelines for jewellers, for example, as to whether an emerald is an emerald or merely a green beryl is simply this: If it's green enough to be an emerald, it's an emerald; if it isn't green enough, it's a green beryl... The green color in emerald is caused by the presence of either chromium or vanadium, but to date it's still being debated as to whether a beryl colored by vanadium is an emerald or a "vanadium beryl". Controversial indeed to a gemologist.

And consider the human factor: Mining conditions are deplorable at best. While there are many sources of emeralds, including Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, the present sources of the best emeralds in the world are the Muzo and Cosquez mines in Colombia, near Bogota. Robbery and murder among miners is common. While the National Police in Colombia filed "only 876 intentional killings (in Bogota) in the current year", that's still up approximately 10% from 2008. It is estimated that there are on average two mine-related murders a day.

Thus, many people are turning to lab-created emeralds, such as those produced at Chatham Created Gems, "the safest source of emeralds in the world". Lab-created emeralds, while still easily detected by the trained eye, are becoming more like natural emeralds everyday. Some manufacturers of lab-created emeralds have even begun introducing "gardens", or inclusions, in their product. Also, lab-created gems are "chemically correct" in every way.

Natural or created, March-born or not, the bewitching green of the emerald is certainly beautiful to behold and to possess.

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