Emeralds, with their vibrant green hue, have captivated humans for centuries. These gemstones, renowned for their beauty and rarity, hold a unique place in the world of jewellery. Whether you’re considering adding an emerald to your collection or simply want to learn more about this fascinating gem, here’s everything you need to know about emeralds.
History and Origins
Emeralds have a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. The earliest emeralds were mined in Egypt around 1500 BCE, and they were a favourite of Cleopatra. The Incas and Aztecs of South America also prized emeralds, believing them to have supernatural powers.
Emeralds are precious gemstones made from a variety of the mineral beryl. Chromium is the trace element responsible for an emerald’s vibrant green. Deriving from the ancient Greek word for green, “Smaragdus,” emeralds are often associated with lush landscapes and represent new spring growth. Wearing an emerald was believed to reveal the truth or falseness of a lover’s oath as well as make one an eloquent speaker.
Today, the most significant sources of emeralds are found in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Colombian emeralds are particularly renowned for their exceptional quality and deep green colour.
Jewellery in Emeralds
Emeralds are highly sought-after and available in stunning earrings, necklaces, rings, and more, showcasing their incredible versatility as gemstones. Whether you favour emerald earrings, a captivating emerald necklace, or a statement emerald ring, we offer something perfect for every preference. At Michael Trio, you can select the emerald shape that resonates most with you, ensuring your piece is exclusively yours.
Characteristics of Emeralds
Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl, coloured green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Here are some key characteristics of emeralds:
| Characteristic | Description |
| Colour | The most valued emeralds are deep green with vivid saturation; they can range from bluish-green to yellowish-green |
| Clarity | Emeralds often have inclusions known as “jardin” (French for garden). These inclusions are part of the stone’s character and not necessarily flaws. |
| Cut | Typically cut in a rectangular shape with stepped facets (emerald cut), enhancing the stone’s colour and minimising the appearance of inclusions. |
| Carat Weight | Emeralds are denser than diamonds, making a one-carat emerald appear smaller than a one-carat diamond. |
Emerald Grading
Emeralds are graded based on the four Cs: colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Among these, colour is the most critical factor in determining an emerald’s value. The most prized emeralds are those with a vivid, pure green hue and even colour distribution.
Colour
Colour is the most significant factor affecting the value of an emerald. Colour preferences do change in time and from culture to culture. Nevertheless, the most sought after colour is bluish green to pure green, with vivid colour saturation and tone that’s not too dark. Highly transparent, evenly distributed colour with no visible colour zoning are the most valued emeralds.
The value of an emerald decreases if the colour tone of the gem is either too yellowish or too blueish as it will be considered as a beryl variety instead of an emerald.
Emeralds not only have different undertones but also come in shades of green with varying intensity. Below are some examples of emeralds with different shade intensities:
Clarity
Clarity in gemstones is judged based on opacity and the number and visibility of inclusions. The assessment is often done by checking if the gem is “eye clean,” meaning no inclusions are visible to the naked eye, similar to the grading of diamonds. Inclusions affect a gem’s value: the more visible the inclusions, the lower the value.
Emeralds, being type 3 stones, almost always have visible inclusions. This is widely understood and accepted by traders and consumers. Clarity in transparent emeralds is assessed by the naked eye from a distance of about 40 cm.
Types of Opacity in Emeralds:
- Jardin: Inclusions within emeralds often appear mossy and garden-like, hence the French term “Jardin” (garden). These inclusions are a mix of solid, liquid, and gas within the gem, appearing light green and whitish.
- Transparent Emeralds: Completely transparent emeralds are extremely rare in nature. If an emerald appears completely transparent, it is often assumed to be either synthetic or heavily treated until tested.
Jardin inclusions are useful for gemologists to determine whether an emerald is natural, synthetic, or an imitation. They can also help identify the gem’s geographical origin.
Examples of Opacity in Emeralds:
*Transparent– The gem allows light to pass through completely, showing clarity, which is rare for natural emeralds.
*Translucent– The gem allows some light to pass through but is not fully clear.
*Opaque– The gem has no transparency and light cannot pass through.
Cut
The shape of the emerald crystal influences the finished stone’s shape and size. Gem cutters must consider several factors when making cutting decisions, including the rough emerald’s depth of colour, durability, and inclusions.
These factors help minimise weight loss during cutting, which affects the value of the final gem.
Considerations in the Cutting Process:
| Category | Description | Impact |
| Emerald Fractures | Emerald rough often contains significant fractures. Cutters must design facets to protect vulnerable areas and minimize the impact of these fractures on the finished gem. | These fractures make emeralds more brittle than corundum, increasing the gem’s vulnerability during cutting and daily wear. |
| Dichroism | Emeralds exhibit dichroism, showing bluish-green and yellowish-green colours. | This characteristic influences the table orientation to favour a perpendicular alignment to the crystal’s length, enhancing the more coveted bluish-green shade. |
| Colombian Emeralds | Colombian emerald roughs are challenging to cut due to the colour being concentrated on the surface of the crystal. | Careful handling is required to avoid producing a lighter-coloured gem. Cutters aim to maximise the crystal’s hue, saturation, and tone while determining the number of facets. |
Carat
Emeralds are denser than diamonds, so their carat weight differs. Size is measured by carat and diameter in millimetres. Emeralds are more valued for their colour, cut, and clarity. They range from tiny fractions of a carat to hundreds of carats. Larger stones are rare and more expensive.
Emeralds in museums and private collections weigh hundreds of carats, but most emeralds weigh less than 1.5 carats. The larger the size, the higher the value.
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Emeralds are not just beautiful gemstones; they are a piece of history, culture, and mystery. Emeralds have long been associated with a range of symbolic meanings and powers. They are said to represent rebirth, love, and fertility. In ancient times, emeralds were believed to bestow the power of foresight, protect against evil spirits, and enhance the wearer’s eloquence. Whether you’re drawn to their rich green hue or their storied past, owning an emerald is like owning a piece of the earth’s natural wonder. With proper care and appreciation, an emerald can be a cherished part of your jewellery collection for generations.
If you’re looking to buy an emerald, Michael Trio offers a selection known for their expertise and integrity in dealing with precious gemstones. They ensure each emerald is certified by a reputable gemological laboratory and set in a protective bezel setting to minimise the risk of damage.
