Emerald
Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) coloured green by trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale.Most emeralds have lots of material trapped inside during the gem’s formation, so their toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. Emerald is a cyclosilicate.
Etymology
The word “emerald” is derived (via Old French: esmeraude and Middle English: emeraude), from Vulgar Latin: esmaralda/esmaraldus, a variant of Latin smaragdus, which was via Ancient Greek: σμάραγδος(smáragdos; “green gem”) from a Semitic language. According to Webster’s Dictionary the term emerald was first used in the 14th century.
Properties
Emeralds, like all coloured gemstones, are graded using four basic parameters known as “the four Cs”: colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. Normally, in the grading of coloured gemstones, colour is by far the most important criterion. However, in the grading of emeralds, clarity is considered a close second. A fine emerald must possess not only a pure verdant green hue as described below, but also a high degree of transparency to be considered a top gemstone.
Colour
In gemology, colour is divided into three components: hue, saturation, and tone. Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the primary hue necessarily being green. Yellow and blue are the normal secondary hues found in emeralds. Only gems that are medium to dark in tone are considered emeralds
KEY TAKEAWAYS
EMERALDS: HISTORY’S MOST ANCIENT TREASURES
The oldest emeralds date back almost three billion years.
2. WHAT MAKES EMERALDS GREEN
One of four gemstones globally recognised as ‘precious’ (the others being diamonds, sapphires and rubies), emeralds are made from beryl.
3. EMERALDS ARE RARER AND OFTEN MORE EXPENSIVE THAN DIAMONDS
When it comes to rare and expensive gemstones, most of us immediately think of diamonds, but, in fact, emeralds are more than 20 times rarer than diamonds and, therefore, often command a higher price.
4. NEARLY ALL EMERALDS HAVE INCLUSIONS
Unlike diamonds, where clarity plays a significant role in valuing a stone, inclusions are to be expected in emeralds. Indeed, they can be found in 99% of natural emeralds so if you find a stone without, chances are it’s synthetic.
5. EMERALDS ARE THE SOFTEST GEMS KNOWN TO MAN
While inclusions can add to an emerald’s overall aesthetic, they do make them more susceptible to cracking if knocked against a hard surface or subjected to extreme temperature change.
6. THEY ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE SPECIAL QUALITIES
According to ancient folklore, putting an emerald under your tongue would help a person see into the future. Wearing emeralds was also thought to guard against memory loss and enhance intuition.
7. EMERALDS WITH THE ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
From Cleopatra to the Duchess of Cambridge, there’s something about royalty and emeralds. In 1845, Prince Albert commissioned a gothic-inspired diamond and emerald tiara for Queen Victoria.
8. FAMOUS EMERALDS
Not quite royalty, but as good as Stateside, John F Kennedy chose a two-carat diamond and two-carat emerald baguette ring when he proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, the ring set the future president back a cool $1 million.
9. STARS MAKING A STATEMENT?
Last year, when stars attending the Golden Globes dressed in black to support the Time’s up movement, many of them chose to adorn their monochrome gowns with emerald jewellery.
10. SPOILER: THE EMERALD CITY WASN’T REALLY GREEN!
It’s 80 years since the blockbuster fantasy musical The Wizard of Oz was released, but did you know that in the original book by L. Frank Baum, published in 1900, the Emerald City was “no more green than any other city”?
Factors That Contribute to the High Price of Emeralds
- Rarity: Emeralds are rare and difficult to find, which drives up their price. Only a small percentage of emeralds are of gemstone quality.
- Quality: Emeralds are known for their exceptional quality. The colour, clarity, and transparency of emeralds are considered to be among the best in the world. In fact, emeralds are so highly prized that they are often sold with a GRS (GemResearch Swisslab) certificate, which verifies their origin and quality.
- Demand: There is a strong demand for emeralds, especially among collectors and high-end jewellery buyers. Emeralds are considered to be some of the finest and most desirable gems in the world, and their rarity and beauty only add to their allure.
- Mining Conditions: The conditions under which emeralds are mined in Colombia are often dangerous and difficult. The mines are located in remote and rugged areas, and miners must work in difficult and often hazardous conditions. This adds to the cost of mining and contributes to the high price of emeralds.