Emperors fought battles, and noblemen surrendered land in order to obtain them. Cleopatra exploited the mines of Egypt, and had emeralds cut in her own image. Napoleon handpicked them, pledging his undying love for Empress Josephine. The Spaniards ravaged the Inca empire in quest of them.
The first emeralds were discovered probably near the Red Sea, on the Djebel Sikait, in 2000 B.C., and were the prime source on the Pharaohs’ wealth. There is documentation of their presence in Egypt during the life of Pharaoh Sesostris in 1950 B.C.
