I do know what a emory is,there is like a red felt and a old pin in it.I see some stuff down under the felt but I don't want to pick at it or it could be ruined.I'm not in to sewing so I do not know much about pin cushions.Sorry I can not be more helpful.
Emory is like the same stuff that your emory boards are made of, you know to file your fingernails.. Good pincushions have this in them to sharpen the needles. You run your needle up and down in the cushion with the emory like you're stabbing at it. It would sort of feel like it had sand in it. just so you know.