A variety of Beryl, Emeralds get their iconic bluish-green colour from the elements Chromium, Vanadium and Iron. Often judged by its internal characteristics a Natural Emerald is home to some of the most picture perfect internal features. These include perfect 2-3 phase inclusions and growth tubes together with others and are popularly called “Jardin” in French.
Emeralds Are Mined In:
- Columbian Emeralds
Known for the some of the world’s finest emeralds, Columbian Emeralds have the perfect colour. Formed in calcite veins in black shales, these gems often have Calcite Crystals and Pyrite crystals within. - Afghanistan Emeralds
Rich in colour and saturation, Afghanistan Emeralds are smaller in size with more than 4-5 Phase inclusions - Zambia Emeralds
With a slightly more yellowish body colour, gems often contain brownish inclusions of Mica and geometric 2-3 phase inclusions.
When cutting an Emerald, cutters aim to achieve high clarity and strong colours. They often cut the table of the stone perpendicular to the length of the stone, achieving a more desirable blueish green.
Treatments To Be Aware Of:
One of the most common treatments to improve and reduce the visibility of natural fractures is Oiling. An industry-accepted treatment, it is always a good idea to check and certify your gemstone for any treatments. Although not permanent, these treatments can bleed out or dry up when exposed to heat and other adverse conditions making fractures look worse than they naturally are.
Emerald Care:
Caring for your Emerald goes hand in hand with the purchase of the gem. Maintaining the eternal beauty of these gems is often in the hands of the owner and wearer. Regular checks at your jeweller paired with easy at home cleaning will surely allow your gemstone to sparkle to its best.
Use warm soapy water, without any harsh chemicals with an old soft bristled toothbrush to remove grime and dirt from your emerald studded jewellery. The bristles get in the hard to reach places, leaving your stone unharmed.
