It appears from Pliny, that the true emerald was certainly known to the ancients, although many other stones, having a green color, were popularly confounded with that gem.
For the last two centuries and more, the only country known to yield Emeralds is Peru, where they occur in Santa Fé,and in the Valley of Tunca. Several large stones have appeared in Europe: about two years ago I cut one, exceeding two ounces in weight, for the Emperor of Morocco, but it was full of imperfections. The largest specimen known is an hexagonal crystal, nearly six inches long, and above two in diameter.
This gem, however small, is so rarely seen perfect, that "an Emerald without a flaw" has passed into a proverb. A fine stone of four carats may be valued at £40 or £50, or even more if very pure. Inferior stones of one or
