Emerald

Emerald Characteristics and Grading

• The word 'emerald' is derived from the Latin word 'smaragdus', which came from the Ancient Greek word 'smáragdos' meaning 'green gem'.
• Emeralds are graded based on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
• Color is the most important criterion in grading emeralds.
• Clarity is considered a close second in the grading of emeralds.
• Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the primary hue being green.
• Only medium to dark-toned emeralds are considered true emeralds.
• Emeralds tend to have numerous inclusions and surface-breaking fissures.
• Emeralds are graded by eye, and if they have no visible inclusions, they are considered flawless.
• Inclusions and fissures within an emerald are sometimes referred to as 'jardin' due to their mossy appearance.
• Eye-clean emeralds with a vivid primary green hue and minimal secondary hues command the highest prices.

Emerald Treatments and Enhancements

• Most emeralds are oiled as part of the post-lapidary process to fill in surface-reaching cracks and improve clarity and stability.
• Cedar oil and other liquids with similar refractive indexes are commonly used for treating emeralds.
• Epoxy resins are used for filling emeralds with many fractures.
• Treatments are typically applied in a vacuum chamber under mild heat to enhance absorption.
• The use of oil is accepted in the gem trade, but treated emeralds are worth less than untreated ones.

Emerald Mining

• Colombia is known for its emerald deposits.
• Emerald mining in Colombia has been studied extensively.
• The Eastern Cordillera of Colombia is a significant emerald mining region.
• The Kagem emerald mine in Zambia is a notable mining area.
• Zambia is known for producing high-quality emeralds.
• Brazil has a long history of emerald mining.

Famous Emeralds

• Chipembele, a 7,525-carat emerald from Zambia.
• Gachalá Emerald, one of the largest gem emeralds at 858 carats.
• Large, di-hexagonal prismatic crystal of 1,390 carats housed at the Mim Museum in Beirut.
• Empress Amélie of Brazil wore an emerald parure.
• Various Colombian emeralds of significant size and quality.
• The Patricia Emerald housed in the American Museum of Natural History.
• The St. Louis Emerald, also known as the 'Emeraude de Saint Louis.'
• The Gachala Emerald displayed at the National Museum of Natural History.
• The Hope Emerald featured at the Smithsonian Institution.
• Notable emeralds auctioned by Christies, including the Rockefeller Emerald and the Chalk Emerald.

History and Cultural Significance of Emeralds

• Emeralds have been prized and used in jewelry for thousands of years.
• Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans valued emeralds for their beauty and symbolism.
• Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, was known for her love of emeralds.
• The Spanish conquistadors discovered large emerald deposits in South America during the 16th century.
• Emeralds have been associated with various legends and myths throughout history.
• Emerald is the traditional birthstone for May and gemstone for the astrological sign of Cancer.
• Emerald City is a prominent location in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.
• Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India, has an idol made of emerald.

Emerald Mentions

Emerald Data Sources