Check stone emblem’s edges (4)
I believe the answer is:
stem
'check' is the definition.
(both can mean to control or stop)
'stone emblem's edges' is the wordplay.
'stone' becomes 'st'.
'edges' suggests removing the centre (I've seen 'edging' mean this (edging means the letters on the edges)).
'emblem' with its middle removed is 'em'.
'st'+'em'='STEM'
(Other definitions for stem that I've seen before include "part of a ship" , "branch of family" , "feature of wine glass" , "Upward part of a plant" , "root" .)