False Names for Emeralds
Emeralds, since their emergence in Upper Egypt, attracted widespread attention and were often confused with several gems that because they were green in color, were far from the emerald; we must remember that in ancient times there were no gemologists for identification. Let’s see some of the names that were used incorrectly for emeralds along with the actual gems with which they were confused.
African emerald: Green Fluorite
Cape emerald: Prehnite
Congo emerald: Dioptase
Bohemian emerald: Green Fluorite
Indian emerald: Quartz or tinted chalcedony
Afternoon emerald: Peridot
Night emerald: Peridot
Oriental emerald: Green Sapphire
Scythia emerald: Sapphire Green
South Africa emerald: Green Fluorite
Emeralds were also confused with other stones such as jade, jasper, malachite, and even green glass. It is said that Nero would watch the fights of the gladiators through an emerald, but it is very likely that it may have been green glass that coincidentally helped Nero with his seeing problems.