A precious green gemstone made from a mineral called beryl. The word can also describe a rich, bright shade of green.
From Old French 'esmeralde,' from Latin 'smaragdus,' from Greek 'smáragdos' (green gem). The initial 's' was dropped over time in several languages. The stone has been prized for its color since ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome.
Emeralds are so strongly tied to their color that the gem’s name became the name of the shade itself. The word’s long journey—from Greek to Latin to French to English—mirrors how the stones traveled along ancient trade routes. Every time you say 'emerald green,' you’re echoing thousands of years of people being dazzled by the same color.
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