Not Colombian Emeralds, but Zambian

Tradition and lore hold Colombian emeralds to be the top quality emeralds.  If you read the fine print, much hype has gone into this.  Experts opine that solely the origin of a gemstone cannot guarantee quality.  No doubt some of the top quality may come from a particular source, but doesn't mean every emerald from there will have the best qualities that a gemstone ought to exhibit.  Most of the times, it's a dealer riding the wave.

There is a widely prevalent preference among jewelers and consumers towards Colombian emeralds; which leaves scope for speculation.  For one, Zambian emeralds are a relatively newer find.  Discovered as recently as 1950s, the market didn't even have the nomenclature of Zambian emeralds fifty years ago.

Further, Colombian emeralds exhibit a range of leafy bluish green emeralds.  Zambian emeralds are appreciated for their deeper greens.  People who deal with both kinds insist that Colombian emeralds have a clear core and the color is concentrated in the outer edges of the crystal; while the core of the Zambian emerald crystal is green through and through.

The above comment is highly relevant in that in a gemstone, its color determines the first grade in quality, especially more so in emeralds.

Further, Zambian emeralds are less porous than other emeralds and also less brittle.  Naturally, this makes Zambian emeralds less likely than others to be treated with unknown fillers.  It is for this that Zambian emeralds are promoted by dealers who have both kinds.

Price is a major tipper here.  Zambian emeralds are less expensive in the high-end ranges.  Debate rages as to whether the origin of a gemstone is the final determinant, but this much is clear: prices are three to five times higher for Colombian emeralds than for Zambian, a factor attributable to worldwide demand.  Food for thought.

Over and above everything else, Zambian emeralds win hands down when we are looking at the ethics of the trade.  Miners in Zambia are said to be very involved in improvising the living conditions, and providing other facilities like medicine and education to the miners in Zambia.  The more conscientious customers will naturally prefer Zambian emeralds.

Inclusions in emeralds are quite common, and therefore clarity in Zambian emeralds is at par with other emeralds, though some opine that in comparison, smaller Zambian emeralds are far clearer than their other counterparts.