Travels in India (Tavernier) 96.6

96.6

As for the emerald, it is an ancient error of many people to suppose that it was originally found in the East, because before the discovery of America they were unable to think otherwise, and likewise still the majority of jewellers and artisans, when they see an emerald of high colour inclining to black, are accustomed to call it an Oriental emerald, in which they are mistaken, since the East has never produced them. I confess I have not been able to find the places in our Continent from whence these kinds of stones are obtained. But I am assured that the East has never produced them, neither on the mainland nor on the islands; and having made a strict inquiry during all my journeys, no one has been able to indicate any place in Asia where they are found. It is true that since the discovery of America some few rough stones have often been carried by the Southern Sea from Peru to the Philippine Islands, from whence they have been exported in due course to Europe; but that does not justify these being called “Oriental,” nor support the view that their source is situated in the East, since both before this discovery and this passage there was no want of emeralds for disposal throughout the whole of Europe, and because at present, having left this route, they are all conveyed by the North Sea (Atlantic) to Spain. In the year 1660 I saw per cent less price given in India for emeralds than they would be sold for in France.