Emerald, a verdant gem, falls under the beryl mineral family, showcasing a bluish-green to green spectrum. Its historical significance dates back almost 4,000 years when ancient Egyptians engaged in emerald mining, with Cleopatra herself known as an ardent collector of these exquisite gemstones. The alluring allure of South America's emerald treasures was unveiled during the 16th century by Spanish explorers who discovered sizeable emeralds in the hands of Aztecs and Incas. Embraced by our forebears for its supposed ability to grant foresight into destiny, emerald is revered as a talisman of good fortune.
The lush green tint evokes images of spring's rebirth and a yearning for new prospects. This "spring" quality can also be observed within emeralds, featuring intricate inclusions referred to by the French as "jardin" or garden due to their resemblance to mossy foliage. These inclusions are akin to fingerprints, imparting a unique character to each emerald, establishing their status as genuinely natural gemstones.
3.86ct Emerald
Early gem traders endeavored to enhance the transparency of emeralds by immersing them in clear oils or paraffin, a practice aimed at minimizing the visibility of surface fissures. Today, a wide array of sophisticated technologies is deployed for emerald clarity enhancement, encompassing not just oils and waxes but also resins, sometimes fortified with hardeners. This technique is commonly applied when dealing with emeralds, and most gemological labs assess the extent to which an emerald has undergone enhancement.
Presently, the majority of the world's emeralds are unearthed in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Nevertheless, deposits have also been unearthed in regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and most recently, North Carolina.
As the embodiment of spring's vibrancy, emerald occupies the distinguished position of being May's birthstone. Furthermore, it is the chosen gem for commemorating the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
Origin: Columbia, Brazil, Zambia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia and China
Color: Medium-light to Dark Green, Yellowish Green and Bluish Green
Species:Beryl
Hardness:7.5 to 8.0 on Mohs Scale
Birthstone Month:May
Anniversary Year:20th & 35th
Refractive Index:1.577 to 1.583 (+/-0.017)
Birefringence:0.005 to 0.009
Specific Gravity:2.72 (+0.18/-0.05)