The emerald

The name "emerald" derives from the Greek σμάραγδος (smàragdos) and means "green gem".
Its history dates back to Ancient Egypt, where emerald mines were active since 3000 BC.
Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, is known for her deep love of emeralds. For the Egyptians, the emerald was a true national symbol.
The emerald was already considered a powerful talisman for fertility, immortality, rejuvenation and spring.

How it's made

Emerald is a variety of beryl, characterized by an intense green color. Beryl, literally "blue-green" stone, is considered the mother of gems due to its highly prized varieties. The intense green color of the emerald derives from traces of chromium, vanadium and iron, the concentrations of which within the stone determine its extraordinary range of shades.

Emerald varieties

• The Colombian emerald is synonymous with superior quality, highly sought after on the market, but difficult to find. This type of emerald fascinates the whole world with its true green fire and an uncommon purity of the crystals.

• The Nova Era emerald, originally from Brazil, is very similar to the Colombian one due to its classic beauty of shades that go from pale green to a more intense green.

Zambia has the second largest emerald deposits in the world. Other deposits are found in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Trapiche emeralds are crystals with thin fibrous inclusions of dark carbon, expanding from a naturally formed central hexagon. Another variety is mined in the Rural Mountains of Russia, where specimens are distinguished by their purity and a bluish-green color.

His characteristics

As we said previously, the presence of chromium, vanadium and iron have a significant influence on the green shade of the emerald. The most valuable emeralds are undoubtedly those that have a deeper and more intense shade. The transparency and sharpness of the stone is another characteristic that signals its value. Many stones are treated through heat treatment to improve these aspects.