Green Emeralds Buying Guide

Green Emerald Buying Guide

Emeralds are a precious gemstone that has captivated people for centuries with its stunning green colour and alluring beauty. Emerald gemstones have unique characteristics and quality factors that make it a great choice for both contemporary and more traditional styled jewellery. In this emerald buying guide, we'll help you choose the perfect emerald that fits your budget and preferences

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What are Emeralds?

Emeralds are precious gemstones that belong to the beryl mineral family, which also includes other popular gemstones such as aquamarine and morganite. Emeralds are set apart by their rich green colour, which is caused by trace amounts of chromium, vanadium in their crystal structure. Emeralds have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which makes them relatively hard and durable for everyday wear, perfect for engagement and wedding ring but more notably worn in fashion style rings, earrings and pendants.

Emeralds are typically cut into various shapes such as oval, round, square, and emerald cut, that maximizes the gemstone's colour and clarity. The value and quality of an emerald are determined by various factors such as its colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight.

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Emerald Gem Lore and Meaning

Emeralds have been treasured for their beauty and perceived healing powers for centuries, and they have been surrounded by various gem lore and meanings throughout history. Here are some of the most common ones:

Symbol of Love and Romance: In ancient Rome, emeralds were believed to be the gemstone of the goddess Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. As such, emeralds were often used in engagement rings and as gifts between lovers as a symbol of eternal love and devotion.
Sign of Wealth and Power: Emeralds have long been associated with royalty and the wealthy elite. In ancient Egypt, emeralds were worn by pharaohs as a symbol of their power and influence, and the gemstone was believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to its owner.
Stone of Healing and Protection: Emeralds have also been used for their perceived healing powers and protective properties. They were believed to strengthen the eyesight, calm the mind, and promote inner peace. In medieval times, emeralds were believed to protect against evil spirits and bring good luck to their wearer.

Overall, emeralds have been revered for their stunning beauty and unique color, and they continue to be a popular gemstone in jewelry and fashion today.

Emerald Colour Guide

What are the best shades of green?

The best green shade of emerald is a matter of personal preference. In general, the most desirable and valuable emeralds have a deep and intense green colour with a slight bluish or yellowish undertone, which gives them a rich and vivid appearance. This type of emerald color is often referred to as "velvety" or "jardin," which means garden in French, due to the presence of natural inclusions within the gemstone that resemble a garden landscape.

The colour of an emerald can also be influenced by factors such as lighting conditions, the angle of viewing, and the presence of any treatments or enhancements. Therefore, it's essential to examine the emerald under different lighting conditions and angles to ensure that the colour remains consistent and appealing to your eye.

Where do Emeralds come from?

Emeralds are primarily mined in countries that are rich in natural resources such as Brazil, Colombia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Colombia is considered to be the world's largest producer of high-quality emeralds, and its Muzo and Chivor mines are renowned for producing some of the most beautiful emeralds in the world. Brazil is also a significant producer of emeralds, with mines in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Goias. Zambia's Kagem mine is another significant source of emeralds, and it has produced some of the world's largest and finest quality emeralds in recent years. Other countries such as Afghanistan, Madagascar, and Pakistan also have emerald deposits, but they are relatively smaller in scale compared to the aforementioned countries.

Famous Emeralds

The Mogul Mughal Emerald
This historic emerald is believed to have been discovered in Colombia in the 16th century and weighs approximately 217.80 carats. It was owned by various Mughal emperors of India before it was taken by Persian invader Nadir Shah in 1739. It was eventually acquired by the British East India Company and is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The Duke of Devonshire Emerald
This magnificent emerald weighs approximately 1,383 carats and is one of the largest uncut emeralds in the world. It was discovered in Colombia in the mid-16th century and was eventually acquired by the Duke of Devonshire in the 19th century. It is now housed in the Natural History Museum in London.
The Rockefeller Emerald
This stunning emerald weighs approximately 18.04 carats and is considered one of the finest emeralds in the world. It was owned by the Rockefeller family for over 60 years and was sold at auction in 2017 for a record-breaking $5.5 million. It is believed to have originated from the famous Muzo mine in Colombia and is now owned by an anonymous buyer.

Emerald Birthstone

BIRTHSTONE OF MAY

Emerald is a stunning gemstone that is associated with the month of May as its official birthstone. This vivid green gemstone is part of the beryl mineral family and is prized for its colour and rarity. In ancient times, emeralds were believed to have healing properties and were often worn as a talisman to promote good health and vitality.

Today, emerald is still highly valued for its beauty and symbolism, often representing growth, prosperity, and harmony. Emeralds are found in many parts of the world, but some of the most famous sources include Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. Whether you're celebrating a May birthday or simply love the rich green hue of emerald, this gemstone is a timeless and sophisticated choice for any occasion.

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Celebrity Emeralds

Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari Emerald
This iconic emerald necklace features a 23.44-carat Colombian emerald pendant set in platinum and surrounded by diamonds. It was gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton in 1962 as a token of their love and is estimated to be worth millions of dollars. Taylor was often seen wearing the necklace to various red carpet events and is considered one of the most famous celebrity emeralds.
Angelina Jolie's Emerald Earrings
These stunning emerald earrings feature a pair of 115-carat Colombian emeralds set in 18k yellow gold and surrounded by diamonds. They were custom-made for Angelina Jolie by jewellery designer Robert Procop and were first worn by Jolie at the 2009 Academy Awards. The earrings are estimated to be worth over $2 million.