Emerald is one of the four “precious” gemstones, the others being Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire. It is the green form of Beryl, colored by trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium to range in hue from yellow to green to blue to green. 

Emerald has been prized and revered in many different cultures for over 6,000 years. It was sold in the markets of ancient Babylon in 4,000 BCE, worshipped by the Incas, and considered a symbol of eternal life by the Egyptians as well as being a favorite jewel of Cleopatra.