The Emerald gemstone has been mined in numerous places around the world and in times past, some of these mines were exceptionally dangerous leading to the deaths of many people, all in the name of getting this fabulous gemstones out of the ground. The

Most of todays emerald gemstones are mined in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Columbia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More recently the mines in North Carolina, USA and Vancouver BC, Canada have started producing some fantastic gems.

The emerald gemstone is on of the many forms of Beryl. Depending on the exact color of the gemstone and if there are no inclusions, the perfect stone can be more valuable that a diamond. Other forms of beryl include aquamarine, golden beryl, heliodor and morganite. There is also a very rare red beryl.

Emerald Eyewash: Start with a clean gas jar with a tight fitting lid. Fill it with purified water and place one or more Emeralds in it. Find a safe place outdoors during the full moon, where it can sit for at least 24 hours getting the moon light at night and the sun light during the day, directly on the jar.

After at least 24 hours (longer is stronger) remove the emerald and use the water as an eye wash for any type of illness or disease of the eye.

For backaches, make an elixir by the instructions for the emerald eyewash above. Heat the elixir till it is as hot as you can stand, the dip a towel into the elixir. Lay face down and have someone place the towel on your back. The combination of the heat and the emerald elixir will help your back feel much better.

If you find your work life or your home life filled with negative energies causing too much tension and arguments, especially if this is preventing life/work from being taken care of, try placing an emerald into the environment. It brings harmony to those within its sphere of action and can improve all aspects of the environment.

Historically, emeralds have been used to heal cancer. It is important to note however that you should never use this treatment in place of medical care from a certified doctor. Gemstone therapy should only be use din conjunction with competent medical care.

When emerald is used during meditation upon the heart chakra, it helps to open the chakras and allow the love that is locked within to come forth into your life.

To attract a love interest into your life, make an elixir according to the eye wash instructions above. Bathe in the elixir to set the energies into motion to attract someone into your life.

If you have your eye set on a special someone, bathe with the emerald elixir as mentioned above, then buy or make a small gift for the intended. Bathe it in elixir from the same bottle that you bathed in. Give him or her the small gift. If they are truly the right person for you, it will speed up the process. If they are not the right person for you, chances are they will leave out of your life.

In relation to the above, a gemstone on a chain or cord to wear around their neck is a good choice for the gift. Any green stone will do as green activates the heart chakras but if one is not available, a quartz crystal, either in point form or a tumbled stone works also.

If you have already found that perfect someone for you and you want to make sure that they remain a true and faithful lover, give them a gift of an emerald.

To cleanse the body's systems, especially the liver, and keep illness and disease away, wear an emerald on a chain or cord so it hangs between the lung and heart level. The emerald helps to remove toxins from the blood as it goes through the heart, allowing the blood to do a more through job of removing toxins from the body.

Magical uses of emeralds include using them in magic dealing with communication between people, increasing psychic abilities, attracting money, improving memory, improving business both in the money flow and in how well employees get along.

From the Hindu Holy Scriptures, The Veda it is said of the emerald, 'Emeralds promise good luck ...'; and 'The emerald enhances the well-being ...'.

The Emerald gemstone is the gemstone of the Goddess Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. The power behind any magickal working for love are always increased with an emerald is included in the magick.

• Birthstone - May
• Zodiac - Cancer
• Planet - Jupiter, Mercury, Moon, Venus
• Uses: Love, Healing, Prosperity
• Chakra: Heart