“Aquamarines grew with emeralds, Claire told me. But emeralds were fragile and always broke into smaller pieces, while aquamarines were stronger, grew in huge crystals without any trouble, so they weren't worth as much. It was the emerald that didn't break that was the really valuable thing.”

“Emeralds,' said the rabbit. 'Emeralds make a lovely gift.”

“For now, with his emerald eyes locked on mine, where I was going didn't seem so scary.”

“[Her eyes] were like two perfect emeralds stuck in the middle of a large sausage pizza.”

“They were a deep emerald green, the exact same color as mine, and they glowed with an intensity I had never witnessed before. A slash of silver crossed each one, the sun's reflection making them sparkle like dancing crystals. The emerald irises appeared to be swirling in circles, creating the illusion that his eyes were never-ending. Flecks of darker emerald clustered around each pupil made my breath catch in my throat. Suddenly, my disheartened mood vanished, almost as if I had never felt sadness before. Something about these eyes held me in place, as if I had found a balance, blanketing me in a cocoon of comfort, free of worries and concerns.”

“My people have been wearing green glasses on their eyes for so long that most of them think this really is an Emerald City.”