Emerald Jewelry - Precious Stone | Bäumer Vendôme

Emerald: An Exceptional Jewel for Women and Men

What is the origin of the word "emeraud"?

The word emerald comes from the Greek name "smaragdos," meaning "heart of stone," which itself is probably derived from a semantic word in the same language: "marmairō," meaning "to shine."
In the Middle Ages, and until the early 20th century for certain denominations, many green stones, if not all, were referred to as emeralds, which can lead to confusion in some interpretations of the writings of the time.
Among precious stones, the emerald stands out for its color and unique symbolism, often confused with other green gems.

What is the color of the emeraud?

The emerald has only one color: green. However, its hue is so characteristic and incomparable that all colors that come close to it are called "emerald green."
Its luster is often glassy due to the various inclusions found in the majority of the stone's gems. However, far from being defects that would devalue the stone, as is the case with diamonds, these inclusions guarantee its authenticity and natural origin since synthetic emeralds do not have them. On the other hand, inclusions that are too large or too numerous, meaning easily visible to the naked eye and significantly affecting the color and appearance of the stone, would devalue the gem.
These inclusions, which can be liquid, solid, or gaseous, are called "frosts," and the collection of frost inclusions in an emerald is often referred to as a "garden" by dealers.

What is the place of the emerald in History? What is its symbolism?

The oldest and most well-known origin of emeralds is that of ancient Egypt around the 2nd millennium BCE. The gem was then used as a medium of exchange and also adorned the jewelry of the empire's elite.
The green color of the emerald has long been associated with spring and rain, so much so that it has often been linked to renewal, fertility, and eternal youth in traditions around the world.
Today, the emerald symbolizes youth, hope, success, knowledge, and permanence, as well as births in the month of May and 40th wedding anniversaries.

What are the main emerald deposits?

The first emerald deposits, now depleted, were located near the Red Sea in Egypt. Today, emeralds are mostly extracted in Colombia.
They can, however, also come from Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, or even Russia.

How to care for a piece of jewelry set with an emerald?

The emerald is a fragile stone, so much so that it risks cracking or even breaking with ultrasonic cleaning or steam cleaning. A classic cleaning with soap and water is recommended. It is also necessary to regularly oil the emerald to maintain its appearance.

OUR EMERAUD PIECES