The name emerald originated from the Greek word smaragdos, which was translated from even older origins. It was believed to be from the word for “flash” or “sparkle” in the pre-Greek tongue. Emeralds are among the oldest gemstones in recorded history, used in Ancient Egypt from at least... Read More

The name emerald originated from the Greek word smaragdos, which was translated from even older origins. It was believed to be from the word for “flash” or “sparkle” in the pre-Greek tongue. Emeralds are among the oldest gemstones in recorded history, used in Ancient Egypt from at least 1600 BCE. Until their discovery in Brazil and Columbia, the only known source of emeralds was Egypt. Emeralds are the green variety of the beryl mineral which also includes the aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, goshenite and red beryl. The rich green colour comes from trace amounts of chromium, like rubies, and in some stones iron and vanadium create the rich green hue. Due to the nature of the formation of emeralds it is expected to see inclusions within the stone. This is referred to as the “jardin” of the stone, coined from the French word for garden. Flawless emeralds are exceedingly rare and, like large rubies, can exceed the value of diamonds.