Like aquamarine and morganite, emeralds are comprised of beryl and are considered the most valuable of the beryl gemstones. Despite being naturally heavily included, emeralds have mesmerized us throughout the ages and were mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. To increase clarity and enhance their beauty, natural emeralds are almost always treated with oil or resin. Though the availability of natural high-quality emeralds are limited, synthetic emeralds produced in a lab but sharing virtually all chemical, optical, and physical characteristics of natural emeralds are readily available. Though much less valuable, synthetic emeralds often outshine their natural counterparts in clarity and color.

As with many other gemstones emeralds have also been believed to have mystical powers. For example, it was thought emeralds would strengthen your memory, increase your eloquence, help you avoid evil spells, and reveal the truth of your lover’s statements. Holding an emerald under your tongue was believed to let you see the future. An emerald worn on a finger was supposed to burn at the approach of poison and to liquefy the eyes of snakes that looked at it. Emeralds worn as amulets were used to ward off epilepsy in children and it was believed the stone would shatter if it could not overcome a violent seizure.