Due to their striking green color, emeralds are highly prized as a beautiful addition to all kinds of jewelry. They have been used for thousands of years, especially by the ancient Egyptians and Incas. Over time, technology has changed the way these gems are extracted from the earth and shaped into glittering jewels. Through accessible text and enlightening fact boxes, readers discover the process behind the creation of valuable pieces of emerald jewelry. Full-color photographs display the dazzling beauty of emeralds. Fact Boxes, Full-Color Photographs, Further Information Section, Glossary, Index, Websites.