emerald

Everyday

1. An emerald is a bright green precious stone used in jewellery. tree →
2. Emerald is a bright, rich green colour. tree →
3. The Emerald Isle is a nickname for Ireland, because of its green fields. tree →
4. Emerald City is the name of a famous imaginary city in the story of The Wizard of Oz. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, treasure, crowns and rings; in art and description, colours; in geography, Ireland's nickname; in science, gems and crystals; in The Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City.

Examples

• The queen's ring had a huge emerald. tree →
• The sea was a sparkling emerald green. tree →
• Ireland is called the Emerald Isle. tree →
• Dorothy followed the road to the Emerald City. tree →
• Emeralds are mined in Colombia. tree →
• “That must be the Emerald City,” said Dorothy. tree →

Note

Countable as a stone, uncountable as a colour. Uses «an emerald». It is the birthstone for May.

In Jewish tradition

The emerald is the third stone in the second row of the high priest's breastplate. Each of the twelve stones stood for one tribe of Israel.

Interpretation. Tradition links each stone to a tribe, and many sources match the emerald to Judah (some say Levi). The breastplate reminded the priest to carry Israel before God.

Examples

• and the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald; (Torah EXO.28.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald. (Torah EXO.39.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable as a stone, uncountable as a colour. Uses «an emerald». It is the birthstone for May.