Near the Aswan Dam in a desert south of Cairo, Egypt, lies “Cleopatra’s Mine,” an old Egyptian mining hot spot where all of the seductress’ most amorous emeralds were unearthed. While Egypt supplied the known world with emeralds and emerald jewelry throughout the Biblical times and on to the Middle Ages, most of today’s precious emeralds are harvested in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Emeralds can range in color from deep Forrest-greens to brighter, more luminous shades of green that appear to have glow-like properties.
Emeralds are green beryl stones that have high traces of chromium and vanadium in their mineral make-up which help generate their glowing green color.
Known as the gem of spring, the emerald, with its hypnotic green glow, has more power over the senses than Superman’s kryptonite. Emerald jewelry, in all of its potent charm, is considered to boost fertility and have protective powers. A favorite of history’s most coveted, seductive Egyptian Princess, Cleopatra, emeralds are more rare and sometimes more expensive than similarly sized diamonds. Emerald jewelry has been popular for over 4,000 years, and is traditionally gifted to travelers so that they might have safe and prosperous journeys. The birthstone of May.
