The following concludes a two- part series on emerald. Part I in last month's issue of Mineral News discussed the geology, mineralogy, and major localities of this highly attractive green gemstone. Emeralds have been known in Egypt since Pharaonic times. They were mined near Sikait (24°40'N 34°48'E), in the Egyptian desert between the Nile River and Berenike, a Roman-era port city on the Red Sea. The emeralds were used as beads in their natural crystal form in earrings, and necklaces, together with gold, pearls, amethysts and other gemstones. Some were polished and shaped into cabochons and set into rings. Egyptian emeralds are not very gemmy by modern standards. They tend to be highly included, cloudy, and lack the vibrant green colors of fine Colombian, Zambian, or Brazilian stones. Nevertheless, Queen Cleopatra reportedly adored emeralds and adorned herself in emerald jewelry. She also gave emeralds as gifts to foreign dignitaries.
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