KNOW THE GAMS

Oriental aquamarine is beryl of the distinctive blue-green color of sapphires. Blue topaz, synthetic blue spinel, and even glass can be cut to resemble aquamarines.

Emeralds. Only intensely deep green beryl is known as emerald. Color, therefore, is the first consideration, followed by lack of flaws or inclusions, and size. An entirely flawless emerald is rare. Emeralds tend to have numerous and typical inclusions, and large emeralds may also have cracks and be cloudy. Such emeralds require care in mounting and in wearing.

Although they may be cabochoned and even engraved, the most popular cut is the emerald or step cut. most all emeralds come from Colombia, where a mine at Muzo has been a source of emeralds for more than 350 years. Emeralds haveen found in the eastern United States, particularly in North Carolina.

One of the largest, most beautiful emeralds in the world is the world Emerald. The clear, deep green gem surrounded by diamonds is supposed to have adorned a Turkish sultan's belt buckle at time. It is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C.

Emeralds have always been admired and revered. The Greeks, example, dedicated the gem to Venus, the goddess of love is. Other the fact that its subtle changes of color were thought to prove . inconstant love is. Others who worshipped the emerald were ancient Peruvians, who were supposed to have one the size of ,;rich egg. When Pizarro conquered Peru, he found a vast treasure emeralds that he sent to Spain. Cortez also confiscated emeralds In Mexico, although the emeralds probably came from Colombia originally.