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Emerald, the first stones were mined in the deserts of Egypt near the Red Sea in what were known as Cleopatra's Mines. However, probably the most ancient occurrences which were known are located near the Red Sea. 

These gemstone mines were already exploited by Egyptian Pharaohs between 3000 and 1500 B.C., gained fame under the name of "Cleopatra?s Mines?, but had already run out when they were rediscovered.

The ancient Egyptians mined Emerald nearly 4,000 years ago, and Cleopatra was an avid collector. South America's rich bounty of Emeralds was discovered by 16th Century Spanish explorers who found large Emeralds in the

possession of the Aztecs and Incas. Egyptian Emerald mined today are small and dark stones. Emerald is the grass green variety of the gemstone called berly.

The name for Emerald is taken from the Greek name - smaragdos, meaning Green stone. The top color for Emerald is a deep Green. Inclusions are generally accepted in Emeralds since all but the rare few have visible inclusions of Mica, Pyrite or Calcite or the "garden" type inclusions.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

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 Emerald

 Stocks )

SOURCES FOR THIS

GEMSTONE

Sources for this gemstone are Colombia, Tanzania, and Brazil.

TREATMENTS

Since virtually all Emerald on the market is included with some sort  of  surface-reaching fractures and openings. The visibility of the inclusions is reduced by filling them. Traditionally, oils (such as cedarwood oil) are used but in time they tend to dry out thus making the inclusion more readily visible again and the gem would require another oil bath.  Today, natural resin or wax type materials are preferred over the traditional oils, since the resin or wax is a natural substance with more of an almost permanent treatment life.  Emerald enhancement processes date back over 600 years, and oil, natural resin, or wax type treatments are accepted trade practices that do not adversely affect the performance and durability of the gemstone, so you can expect all Emeralds will have some type of enhancement. 

Emeralds must be treated with care to prevent chipping.  Emerald jewelry should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean Emerald jewelry.