EMERALD EGYPTIAN MINES

The majority of mining operations, however, dates from the Roman and Byzantine eras, which lasted from the late first century BC to the sixth century AD. The Romans called emerald "smaragdus" and named the Sikait area Mons Smaragdus, which translates as you can now guess, Emerald Mountain.

But, at the time, was the emerald the only source of mining? The Egyptian mines continued to be exploited until at least the Middle Ages when Arab writers document the appearance of larger, heavier, stones from the Indian subcontinent.

With more than a decade of marketing experience, I am now based in Bangkok where I combine my professional background with a long-standing passion for gemstones. I write articles that explore both the beauty and the business of gems, offering insights into their history, trade, and market dynamics. My goal is to make the world of gemstones more accessible to anyone curious to learn, while bringing in the perspective of someone who understands both storytelling and strategy.