Learn About Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
Emerald
- Beryl
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May Birthstone
Round
Pear
Oval
Round
Pear
OvalOverview
Emerald, known for its ravishing green hue, is a variety of the mineral beryl. It contains trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium, which give this gemstone its vibrant color.
Emeralds join rubies and sapphires to form ‘the big three’ of colored stones. This stunning gem derives its name from an ancient Persian word for green, translated to Latin as “smaragdus”, and eventually over time, changed to “emerald”.
1. Key Origin
- The oldest emeralds in the world can be found in Zimbabwe, while Colombia is currently considered to be the best-known source for the ‘deep green’ variety of this gemstone.
- Brazil and Zambia are also regarded as the leading sources for fine-quality emeralds.
2. Associations
- Emerald is the birthstone for those born in the month of May.
- A symbol of rebirth, it is said to promote foresight, good fortune and youth.
- Emeralds are also believed to encourage growth, peace and balance.
Properties
Rated 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Although an emerald is an excellent gemstone for most types of jewelry, it is more fragile than other forms of beryl. Emerald requires careful handling due to its naturally included and flawed formation. There’s a high possibility that it may develop additional internal cracks if subjected to extreme temperature change or rough impact. Extra care should, therefore , be taken while handling the precious emerald.
02Treatment
Natural emeralds, belonging to the beryl mineral family, tend to be more heavily included than any other kind of gemstone. These inclusions are caused by bits of liquids, gas and other minerals. In addition to internal inclusions, majority of emeralds also have tiny surface breaking fissures or cracks. Clarity enhancing treatments are widely practiced to improve their appearance and value.
Know About Other Gems
Emerald
"Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.”
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
- Round
Pear
Oval
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
The color is the most important feature that determines the quality of an emerald. Other factors include cut, clarity and carat weight.
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- Emeralds in bluish green to deep green, with not a very dark tone and vivid saturation are the most preferred.
- The relative amounts of chromium, vanadium and iron determine the color of the stone.
- Emeralds that are highly transparent, devoid of any eye-visible color zoning are extremely sought-after.
02Carat
- Emeralds come in a wide variety of sizes.
- While emeralds in museums weigh hundreds of carats, there are also some that weigh a fraction of a carat.
- The smallest carat weights range from 0.02 to 0.50.
- Emeralds that weigh 1 to 5 carats are popular as center stones.
03Clarity
- Emeralds are known to have visible inclusions, which are often described as garden-like or mossy. These inclusions are also referred to as ‘jardin,’ the French word for garden.
- The transparency and clarity of emeralds are closely linked.
- Eye-visible inclusions are generally accepted, but if these inclusions impact the transparency and clarity, it drastically reduces the value of the emerald.
04Cuts
- Emeralds are susceptible to damage during polishing, cutting, setting and even careless daily wear.
- The 'emerald cut', also known as a trap-cut or step-cut, was specifically designed for emeralds. It protects the gem from mechanical strain and chipping.
- This cut (also used for other gemstones) helps maximize the hue, tone and saturation of the emerald, thereby enhancing its overall beauty.
Quality & Grading
Based on color, clarity, cut and carat weight aspects, emeralds can be graded into the following categories:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Rich Green | Moderately to Slightly Included | Very High | Top 1% |
Prong-Set Emerald Teardrop V-Bale Pendant with Diamond$3239 |
| Best (AAA) |  Rich Medium Green | Moderately Included | High | Top 10% |
Bezel-Set Round Emerald Solitaire Pendant$2399 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium Green | Heavily Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Round Emerald Stud Earrings$1239 |
| Good (A) |  Medium Green | Opaque | Low | Top 75% |
Emerald-Cut Emerald Ring with Diamond Halo$1679 |
Latest Pick from Emerald Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Solitaire Emerald Infinity Knot Engagement Ring
$1409
Classic Solitaire Oval Emerald Promise Ring
$1269
Cushion Emerald and Half Moon Diamond Halo Ring
$7509
Square Emerald and Princess Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring
$2169
Oval Emerald Engagement Ring with Pear Diamonds
$4249
Care Instructions
Emeralds have fair to good toughness, which means they require more care when compared to a ruby or sapphire. Keep the following tips in mind to maintain the beauty of your emerald jewelry and to help them stay dazzling for years.
FAQs
1. Are emeralds valuable?
Yes, emeralds are highly valuable and prized for their rich green hues and rarity. The value of an emerald depends on factors such as color intensity, clarity, carat weight and origin. High-quality emeralds with vivid color and minimal inclusions can command premium prices, making them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world.
2. Are emeralds expensive?
Emeralds are part of the prestigious “big four” gemstones, making them one of the more expensive options in the gemstone world. Their price is influenced by factors such as color intensity, clarity, carat weight, and origin. High-quality emeralds with vibrant green hues and few inclusions are particularly valuable. Exceptional emeralds from notable locations like Colombia or Zambia are especially sought after and often come with premium price tags.
3. What gives emeralds their color?
Emeralds owe their mesmerizing green hue to the trace amounts of chromium and even vanadium present in their mineral structure.
4. Do emeralds have inclusions?
Yes, inclusions are common in emeralds and are often referred to as the gemstone’s "jardin" (French for garden) due to their mossy appearance. Unlike other gemstones, the presence of inclusions in emeralds is generally accepted and doesn’t detract from their value as long as they don’t significantly affect durability. In fact, they are considered part of the emerald’s natural charm and character.
5. Are emeralds graded differently than diamonds?
Yes, emeralds are evaluated using different criteria than diamonds. While diamonds focus heavily on the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, carat), emeralds are graded more leniently for clarity due to their natural inclusions. Instead, the emphasis is placed on their color intensity and overall beauty.
6. What is the difference between emeralds and other green gemstones such as peridot or green tourmaline?
Emeralds are a type of beryl and are prized for their rich, lush green hue. Peridot, by contrast, has a more olive green tone, while green tourmaline tends to have a darker, bluish-green color. Additionally, emeralds are typically more valuable and rare than these other green gems.
