UPBEAT TIMES • May 2012 • 16 Meanings and Myths about Minerals: Emerald


SEBASTOPOL, CA. ~ Emerald is the mod- ern Western cultures birthstones for May. The “Modern” birth- stone list was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers and is the list most commonly used by American jewelers today. Many other tra- ditions exist and you can find them on the inter- net. Emerald is also the birthstone for the Zodiac sign of Cancer (June 22 through July 22) if you use that tradition.


Emerald: Is the Green


variety of Beryl and is mostly used as a gem- stone in jewelry.


The


Etymology of the word "Emerald" is derived (via Old French: Esmeraude and Middle English: Emeraude), from Vulgar Latin: Esmaralda/Esmaraldus, which is a variant of Latin Smaragdus, which originated in Greek: (smaragdos; "green gem"); its original source being either the Hebrew word izmargad meaning "emerald" or "green. The majority of the world's gem


such as Chromium or Vanadium. A Chromophore is the part of a molecule responsible for its color. The color arises when a mol- ecule absorbs certain wave- lengths of vis- ible light and transmits


or


reflects others. In the case of Emerald, it


reflects the green color. Chemically


Emerald is not com- plex with the formula, (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) or Beryllium, Aluminum, Silica


and Its Crystal Habit


Oxygen. is


Emerald crystal on Calcite from Muzo, Colombia.


quality Emeralds come from the Muzo area of Colombia though. Gem quality means that the crys- tal is clear with limited or no inclusions, like Green water The color in Emerald is caused by trace amounts of a Chromophore


Hexoginal and has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 7.5 - 8, which varies with impurities and inclusions.


It has an index of refraction of


1.57 - 1.60. Most emeralds are highly included (not a pure crys- tal), so their toughness (resis- tance to breakage) is classified as generally poor.


It also has a cleavage plain down 1 axis that


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causes problems in faceting and polishing. Metaphysically Emerald is a stone of fertility, and abundance. It


is known as an aid to growth, and assists peo- ple, who are not so well adjusted with this world, to adjust, thrive,


and prosper.


The green of


emerald


is closely tied with the


vibes of the natural world and the plants of nature. As the stone representing Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, emerald is known as the “love stone.”


Its


vibrant green color is ideal for helping with matters relating to the heart, and can be used to enhance memory, and to help in accounting and business calcula- tions, providing for the acquisi- tion of knowledge that can be used to further business plans and strategies.


emerald is said to help the user achieve a positive outcome.


In legal affairs, In


times past, emerald was used to sooth sore eyes, and to promote


clear vision. It is said that star- ing at an Emerald and meditating upon it by visualizing the green color washing over every cell in body is a great exercise. It is also said to promote clairvoyant future vision. Emeralds have also been used to treat disorders of the lungs, heart, spine, and is also said to be good for strength- ening the teeth and bones (just like another beryl, aquamarine). It is also used as an anti-inflam- matory to help with swelling, as well as being used as an antisep- tic and wound healing agent by some.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Paul Forster is owner of The Uncarved Block, A great Rock & Mineral Store located at 110 North Main Street in Sebastopol, California.


(707) 823-8661


Spring Hours: 8:00am-8:00pm 1691 N. Gravenstein Hwy Sebastopol, California 95472 16 • May 2012 • UPBEAT TIMES How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! ~John Muir


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