The History and Folklore Surrounding Emeralds

The emerald was believed to foreshow future events, (Epiphanii, "De XII gemmis," Tiguri, 1565, fol. 5.) but we do not learn whether visions were actually seen in the stone, as they were in spheres of rock-crystal or beryl, or whether the emerald endowed the wearer with a supernatural fore-knowledge of what was to come. As a revealer of truth, this stone was an enemy of all enchantments and conjurations; hence it was greatly favored by magicians, who found all their arts of no avail if an emerald were in their vicinity when they began to weave their spells. (Morales, "De las piedras preciosas," Valladolid, 1604, fol. 101.)

To this supernatural power inherent in the stone, enabling it to quicken the prophetic faculty, may be added many other virtues. If any one wished to strengthen his memory or to become an eloquent speaker, he was sure to attain his end by securing possession of a fine emerald. (Marbodei, "De lapidibus, Friburgi, 1531, fol. 48; Camilli Leon ardi, "Speculum lapidum," Venetia, 1502, fol. xliii.) And not only the ambitious, but also those whose hearts had been smitten by the shafts from Cupid's bow found in this stone an invaluable auxiliary, for it revealed the truth or falsity of lover's oaths. Strange to say, however, the emerald, although commonly assigned to Venus, was often regarded as an enemy of sexual passion. So sensitive was the stone believed to be in this respect that Albertus Magnus relates of King Bela of Hungary, who possessed an exceptionally valuable emerald set in a ring, that, when he embraced his wife while wearing this ring on his finger, the stone broke into three parts. (Fol. 55 recto of Ital. MS., 14th Century. Reference is to Bela IV (1235-1270). Lo reo dilugaria bela loqale in di nostri tempi regna.)

In Rabbinical legend it is related that four precious stones were given by God to King Solomon; one of these was the emerald. The possession of the four stones is said to have endowed the wise king with power over all creation. (Weil, "Biblische Legenden,".) As these four stones probably typified the four cardinal points, and were very likely of red, blue, yellow, and green color respectively, we might conjecture that the other three stones were the carbuncle, the lapislazuli, and the topaz.

After stating that the emerald sharpens the wits and quickens the intelligence, Cardano declares that it therefore made people more honest, for "dishonesty is nothing but ignorance, stupidity, and ill-nature." The same writer adds that the stone was believed to make men economical and hence to make them rich, but of this he was very sceptical, since the experience of others as well as his own showed that the emerald possessed very little power in this direction. (Cardani, "Philosophi opera quaedam," Basileae, 1585. "De gemmis.")

A talismanic emerald, once the property of the Mogul emperors of Delhi, has recently been shown in Europe. The stone is of a rich deep green, and weighs 78 carats. Around the edge in Persian characters runs the inscription: "He who possesses this charm shall enjoy the special protection of God."