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In 1557 after a bloody campaign searching, the Spanish Conquistadors discovered
the spectacular Muzo and Chivor mines in present day Colombia.
Emeralds are said to provide peace and harmony and will improve memory, intelligence,
creativity and mental capacities. It is also said to implant and develop mutual
love and loyalty in a relationship, and to ensure honesty and success in dealings
of business and other relationships.
Emeralds have been used to protect and prevent a child from epilepsy and is thought
to cure irritations and diseases of the eye. Emerald is also thought to strengthen
the kidneys and heart, as well as helping to combat circulatory and neurological
diseases.
Availability :
Emeralds of large sizes are both rare and expensive, particularly when of Columbian
origin. However, smaller Emeralds, or stones originating elsewhere, whilst still
expensive when compared to many other gemstones, are generally readily available.
Supply currently meets demand.
Sources :
Emeralds of Columbian origin are recognized as the finest and both Columbia and
Brazil are today's major suppliers of the gemstone. There are also known deposits
found in Afghanistan, Australia, India, Madagascar, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia,
South Africa, the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Evaluation :
Emerald is rated at a 7.5 to 8 on Moh's Scale of Hardness making it
suitable for all jewelry applications and durable enough for everyday wear. Clarity and transparency
are the most important characteristics when evaluating Emeralds.
In very fine quality Emeralds the back facet should be visible from a face up position.
The brightness of the gemstone, which is determined by the cutting and the number
of inclusions, is also an important evaluation factor. Intense medium green Emeralds
command the highest value. The purity of the green color is crucial to the beauty
of the stone, with blue or yellow overtones diminishing value significantly.
Common Cuts :
The cutting of the Emerald creates a difficult task firstly because of the high
value of the raw crystals and secondly because of the large number of inclusions
that it may have. Because of these factors, a special cut simply known as the emerald
cut has been created. This square/rectangular cut not only heightens the beauty
of the stone but also protects it from its mechanical strain. Though this is the
most common and generally most preferred cut for the Emerald,
it can also be found in most of the commonly recognized and used gemstone shapes/cuts.
Routine Enhancements :
Many Emeralds today are enhanced with colorless oils or resins which reduce the
visibility of the inclusions and improves the clarity of the stone. It is also known
to sometimes improve the color.
Care & Cleaning :
Emeralds can be cleaned in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft brush, then
rinsed with warm water and patted dry. You should never use an ultrasonic cleaner
nor a cleaner that contains petroleum distillates for the chemicals can effect the
color and overall value of the Emerald. Your Emerald should also be kept away from
excessive amounts of heat in order to avoid the danger of thermal shock. Emerald
jewelry should be kept in a fabric-lined
box away from other jewelry items so as
to avoid scratching.
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