For example, the Hebrew word bareqath (Strong's Concordance #H1304) references an Emerald type gem that flashes, glitters or sparkles. The Bible lists it as one of the gemstones found in the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17, 39:10). In Exodus 28:17, bareqath is translated as "carbuncle" in the ASV, ESV, HBFV, and KJV versions of Scripture. The NKJV, HCSB, NASB, and NLT translations, however, render the same word as "emeralds!"
The widely used New International Version translation gives this Hebrew word the English designation "beryl" while the NCV lists the stone as a "yellow quartz."
In Ezekiel 28:13, where bareqath is also used to designate the ninth and final stone that adorned Lucifer, it is translated "carbuncle" in the ASV, ESV and KJV, but as "emerald" in the HBFV, HCSB, NASB, NKJV, and NLT. The NIV translates the word as "beryl" while the NCV renders it "chrysolite."
Bible commentaries disagree regarding the modern identity of the Hebrew gemstone referred to as bareqath. Some lean toward red-colored gemstones such as the red garnet, while others suggest that a more accurate translation of the word would be that of a green-colored emerald.
In the New Testament, the fourth foundational stone in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19) is referred to by the Greek word smaragdos (Strong's #G4665). Both Strong's Concordance and Thayer's lexicon define this word as referring to a green colored gem.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald (smaragdos); (Revelation 21:19, KJV).
After stating all of the above, a good case can still be made that the gemstone mentioned in the first row of the High Priest's is an emerald and not a carbuncle.
"The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Bible's Old Testament), Josephus (Jewish historian who wrote in the first century A.D.) and the Vulgate versions of the Scriptures all render the Hebrew word as "smaragdos," "smaragdus," "emerald," and the correctness of this is not disputed by modern scholars" (Gemstones in the Breastplate, page 16)
The evidence suggests that bareqath is best rendered as "emerald" in Exodus 28:17, 39:10 and Ezekiel 28:13. In modern times, quality gemstones made from this mineral come primarily from Colombia.
Folklore
Anciently, this stone represented youth. The corpse of those who died young sometimes had an ring with this stone placed on their index finger as a sign that their hope in life perished early. This gem was thought to predict future events, though the mechanism through which they conveyed this information is unknown.
According to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article on precious gemstones, this stone, in the Middle Ages, was attributed with the ability to heal a person's eyesight.
This precious stone was also believed to improve the wearer's memory, made them wealthy, improved their thinking abilities and make them a better speaker. Rabbinic legend states that God gave King Solomon four gemstones that gave him the power to rule over all creation. One of these stones is believed to have been an emerald (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 31, 76 - 79).