Today we are going to discuss about a gemstone that commands attention, heritage and displays luxury. The gemstone we are talking about is none other than “Emerald”. Known for its green color it has been cherished by humanity for generations. In this blog you will know everything about Emerald: how it was formed, uses and how to take care of an emerald.
So, let’s dive straight in the world of Emeralds.
What are Emeralds?
Emeralds were formed millions of years ago under high pressure, and are considered incredibly rare. Emeralds belongs to the mineral family of beryl. There are different varieties of minerals that exist, aquamarine and morganite but the green emerald is the one that is highly prized and valuable. An emerald’s color varies from bluish green to pure green with vivid color saturation, where pure green emerald is considered to be the most valuable and demanded color.
At its core it is a simple chemical formula Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆), but this is what makes it green and promotes it to premium emerald category. The green color comes from presence of chromium and vanadium.
On Mohs scale its hardness stays around 7.5 to 8.1. It is also part of the “major four” precious gemstones (ruby, diamond, sapphire and emerald).
They also serve as the May Birthstone.
History and Symbolism
Emeralds were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some people believes that the oldest emeralds are 2.9 billion years old and have been cherished for millennia. The ancient Egyptians and civilizations were fascinated by emeralds. They were highly prized by Egyptians, Romans, and Incas.
Cleopatra is known as the most famous historical figure to love and cherish emeralds. She even claimed ownership of every emerald mine in Egypt during her rule. She used them as a symbol of power and a key part of her personal and political life. She draped them, used them in cosmetics, crowns, rings, necklaces and even decorated her bed with emeralds.
What is Inside an Emerald?
Jardin (Noun) is a term that refers to inclusions in natural emeralds. Inclusions are mostly found in each piece of emeralds. These inclusions make every emerald unique. Inclusions help gemmologists to understand the place of origin and differentiate between natural and synthetic and treated emeralds.
Inclusions play a major role in determining an emerald price and its place of origin. For instance, if an emerald has too much inclusions present in it than its price will be low, as compared to an emerald with very less inclusions.
Where are Emeralds found?
Emeralds are found in different countries, with major supply and production coming from Colombia, Zambia and Brazil. Other sources are Afghanistan, Russia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
Colombian emeralds are known for its high-quality emeralds and their vivid green color. They are also celebrated for their high clarity but all emeralds from Colombian mines have inclusions or Jardin.
Muzo mines are the most famous mines in Colombia and are also called the “Emerald Capital of the World”.
Whereas Zambian emeralds are famous for their dark and rich green color with a tint of blue. They are usually the most priced or emeralds, as compared to other emeralds. Zambian emeralds are also famous for their high clarity and greater durability. They provide exceptional clarity with very few or little inclusions visible, making them a popular and the most demanded choice for jewellery.
On the other hand, Brazilian emeralds are known for their vivid green color, ranging from bluish to yellowish-green and also for their high clarity. Brazil is the leading producer and supplier of emeralds.
Synthetic & Treated Emeralds
Synthetic emeralds are man-made emeralds that are made in laboratories. They have same chemical composition and color as of natural emerald. They look like natural emeralds and a normal person cannot easily differentiate between a synthetic and a natural emerald. If any gem described as “grown” or “cultured” is very likely synthetic. Synthetic emeralds are considered to be less expensive and pocket-friendly as compared to natural emeralds even when matched with same size and quality.
Treated emeralds are usually natural emeralds that are treated in labs to enhance their clarity and color. Nowadays, all natural emeralds are treated as they have some internal fractures and inclusions. Treatments help to make inclusions and flaws less visible, improving overall quality and appearance.
Emeralds are treated in many ways but the most known ones are:
• Oiling: The most common and widely used and accepted method. In this, the emerald is kept in clear oil. The oil seeps into fractures making them less visible.
• Dyeing: This is a controversial treatment which involves using a colored agent to improve an emerald’s color. It is used to intensify the color of emerald.
How to Assess an Emerald — What Really Matters
You want to know what drives value.
1. Colour
The deeper, richer, bluish‐green tones generally command higher prices. Pale green stones are often green beryl (not classified as full emeralds).
2. Clarity
Here’s where emeralds differ from many gemstones: almost all natural emeralds have inclusions, fractures, “jardin” (French for garden) internal patterns.
A stone with zero inclusions is very rare it might raise doubt that is it natural or synthetic.
3. Treatment
Because emeralds are hard but can break easily and often imperfect, many are treated (oiled, filled) to improve appearance. That matters when assessing durability and value.
4. Origin
Some origins carry prestige (Colombia, Zambia, Brazil) and that affects price.
5. Cut and Shape
Because of the brittleness (especially when heavily included) the “emerald cut” (step-cut) was developed to protect the gem.
6. Carat Weight
Larger emeralds are not easy to found, but size doesn’t outweigh colour and clarity. Always check the combination.
How to take care of an Emerald?
Keeping care of Emerald is very important as it is an expensive stones cost way higher than other stones.
As a gem expert it’s my right and duty to help you know about how to take care of an emerald.
• Clean it with warm water or use a soft brush and a solution of mild soap. Don’t soak it in the solution for over a long period.
• Don’t use harsh or strong chemicals or use steam as it can damage the gem.
• Keep them away from excessive heat, hot water and direct sunlight as it can dry out the natural oil from the stone affecting its appearance.
• Keep them in a soft pouch or in jewellery box. Avoid keeping them with other hard stones or hard things.
• Don’t spray any type of perfume or deodorant directly onto your stone.
Conclusion
At the end, Emeralds are not just green stones- they are a part of earth’s history, formed under high pressure and are cherished for centuries. Each emerald has their individuality – no emerald is same. Each one will have its own flaw, its own inclusion.
As a gem expert and a gemmologist, I can say that buying emerald can be one the best decision in your life – it can be kept as Birthstone, investment, beauty purposes and as a symbol.
It is rightly said that emerald is “The Jewels of Kings”.
