Unquestionably, emeralds are stunning, but that is only part of their allure, as there is so much more to this gemstone than what meets the eye. Different types of emeralds come with different kinds of unique properties and designs, all of which make this gem extremely coveted and loved by every jewelry or gemstone enthusiast.
From emerald rings and bracelets to stunning drop earrings and pendants, the list is endless when it comes to this rare and beautiful gemstone.
Emeralds are frequently considered to be lucky stones. Because they are so rare, it can be challenging to find an emerald of excellent quality that is also reasonably priced. Because of this, many fakes pass for the real deal. Therefore, before actually adding any of these emerald-green gems to your gemstone collection, it is crucial to carefully consider your options and educate yourself about these beautiful green gemstones.
What Are Emeralds?
A natural occurrence known as exo metamorphism, which gives the basic rock the lustrous green color, results in the formation of emerald, a type of beryl gemstone. The iron content causes color variation. This gem is admirable and popular due to its hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale and several inclusions as well. Its deposits can be found in large quantities in India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, and Columbia, which is the primary source of high-quality emeralds.
Color
Despite being traditionally associated with the color green, emeralds can also be yellow-green or blue-green—the hues of this gem range from dark green to emeralds with light green undertones. Three characteristics—hue, saturation, and tone—are used to define the emerald color. The value of the emerald increases with the intensity of the green, as well as with how dark and clear it appears. The majority of buyers look for emeralds that range from a lush, pure green color with vivid color saturation and a tone that is not too dark. The most sought-after emeralds are those that have no color zoning, are very transparent, and have the color distributed evenly throughout the gem.
Cost
The cost of emeralds largely depends on the kind of emerald you are considering. Its size, color, durability, clearness, and place of origin are all included. For instance, Colombian emeralds will fetch higher prices than those from other parts of the world. Emeralds from Zambia come in second. In conclusion, a number of factors affect the cost. Smaller sizes are more sought-after than larger ones, which is the case with most gemstones.
The term “emerald” is only applied in the case of medium to dark emeralds; very light emeralds are categorized as green beryl. The best emeralds fall among a tone rating of 0% (a transparent stone) and 100% (an opaque black stone) or a tone rating of 75%.
Also Read: 6 Splurge-Worthy Emerald Ring Designs
Different Types
Colombian Emerald
These emeralds emit a warm hue, and are of the highest quality in terms of color, size, brilliance and pureness. Green is the primary color of the Columbian emerald, though some variations give the color unique shades of green. They are among the most sought-after emeralds despite having only a small change in color. They range from an intense bright green to a bluish-green color.
Brazilian Emerald
The first emerald was found in Brazil, in the year 1920. The quality of the emeralds mined in Brazilian mines at the time was not thought to be on par with the best stones on the market. By the end of the 1980s, new mines had been found and are now reputed to produce much better metals than previously available ones.
Zambian Emerald
This African nation is the second-largest producer of this gemstone in the world due to its extensive beryl deposits. It was only recently discovered by humans, around 1950. These Zambian emeralds are a deeper shade of green than the Columbian emerald, which is prized for its leafy green hue. These emeralds have less porosity, are smaller, and less brittle. They have a brilliant luster and appear clearer.
Additionally, purchasing stones from Zambia is very affordable. Gems are valued according to where they were mined. Therefore, these Emeralds are significantly more affordable for all classes of buyers and are priced less than their Columbian counterparts on this count.
Also Read: Can Emeralds Be Worn Every Day?
Synthetic Emerald
In the early 1930s, creating artificial emeralds engaged dissolving gym nutrition in a liquid flux and letting it crystallize when only a small piece of a natural emerald of beryl was present. The emeralds made at that time were of low grade and size, but in the 1960s, a novel technique for making imitation emeralds was developed.
Using extremely high temperatures and pressures, crystal nutrients are dissolved in acid with water and certain other chemicals, after which it is allowed to help crystallize inside a cooling chamber. As a result, emeralds made of synthetic materials are much less expensive and resemble real ones in appearance.
Trapiche Emerald
This kind of emerald is extremely rare yet magnificent and it is typically found in South America in the mines of Columbia. A hexagonal center can be seen in some emeralds, resembling spoked wheels. This natural emerald’s inclusions are stunning and have been crafted in a way that makes them look like cat eyes.
Also Read: Are Emeralds a Good Option for Promise Rings?
Symbolism and Benefits
It is impossible to list emerald benefits without addressing the many beliefs and symbolic meanings that are attributed to this precious gem. Emeralds were one of the first stones used and worn by humans in antiquity, and has long been thought to possess a number of significant abilities and powers, some of which are still considered true even today.
Emeralds have been associated with love, rebirth and eternal youth. In ancient times, there was a legend that claimed wearing an emerald gave one the power to predict the future and could even cure epilepsy. The name “emerald” is derived from a combination of two languages, Greek and French, and means ‘green gemstones’.
It is undeniable that emeralds are the most expensive gemstone with a mystic appearance and positive effects on one’s outlook on life. Jewelry is often made from emerald stone because of its exquisite appearance and value. People favor purchasing jewelry with emeralds, such as pendants, earrings and rings. Apart from being beautiful, this magical stone has extraordinary healing qualities that not only make the person feel their absolute best but also make them feel opulent due to its magnetism.
- Increases Intelligence: The ability to improve one’s knowledge and mental clarity is greatly enhanced by this stone. In addition, it makes the wearer smarter, which enhances their personality and makes them unique. If you want to benefit from wearing the gemstone, you can embed it in rings.
- Enhances Creativity: Anyone who wears this stone will undoubtedly notice how it enhances the brain’s capacity for imagination. People with creative backgrounds might consider this green stone to be nothing less than a wonder. Emerald wearers have more original and diverse ideas, making work less challenging. Additionally, this stone will be your lifelong companion if you work as an author, in the media or any artistic profession.
- Financial Growth: Emerald is regarded as an auspicious gemstone and is thought to help many people in business. It also assists a person in reaching new levels of achievement (and profits). Go for this gemstone if you work in the stock market, banking, textiles, etc. Simply choose this gemstone for your necklace, ring or earrings to achieve the prosperity you’ve always desired.
- Improves Communication: Wearing emerald gemstones will never make you feel insecure or inadequate in front of anyone. On the contrary, it is thought to be beneficial for speech. Therefore, when someone wears an emerald gemstone, it affects his capacity for interaction. In addition to giving people more confidence, this lovely stone also makes it easier for them to express their ideas. Emeralds will support you if developing more vital communication skills is on your agenda.
- Physical Health: Major heart, abdomen, kidney and brain diseases are all treated by emeralds stone’s remarkable healing properties. It is helpful for the skin, too, which is why people adore its jewelry. Additionally, it lowers the wearer’s mental stress. You could put it in the ring on your little finger to get the most out of it. Embrace the healing properties of the emerald stone to safeguard and preserve your being.
How to Take Care of an Emerald Gemstone
Emeralds are extremely hard and can withstand daily wear. They are scratch-resistant because they have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. However, they are not as tough as sapphires, rubies or diamonds. As a result, you must take proper care of these gemstones. But the question here is how to take care of emerald bracelets, necklaces and rings. Take a look at the points mentioned below:
- Emeralds can be harmed by heat, so it is best to keep them out of direct sunlight.
- After a while, emerald jewelry may require re-oiling; and therefore it is best to take your emerald jewelry to a professional jeweler for this.
- The oils, resins and polymers used to patch surface-reaching fractures are susceptible to deterioration and change brought on by light and chemicals.
- While bathing, swimming or sleeping, never wear emeralds.
- Stones that have already fractured may become weaker due to ultrasonic vibrations and fractures may become sweatier due to hot steam or oil. The most secure method of cleaning emeralds is with warm, soapy water and soft scrubbing.
- Never wear jewelry before using hairspray, perfume or cosmetics because the chemicals could harm the emeralds.
- Your emerald may get scratched by the other precious gems, so you should keep them separated in your jewelry box.
Also Read: Are Emeralds Rare?
How to Clean an Emerald Gemstone
You must clean your emeralds several times a year, on average. While some people have their jewelry cleaned by a professional, you can clean your emeralds on your own as well. So, let’s look at how to clean emerald bracelets, necklaces and rings appropriately.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth to clean off the oil and dirt that have accumulated on the emerald jewelry.
- Place some mild soap in a bowl with lukewarm water. In the soap and water solution, immerse the jewelry and let it soak for 15-20 mins.
- Once removed from the soapy solution, use a soft toothbrush or a jewelry brush to gently scrub away the dirt and grime.
- Pour warm rinse water into a separate bowl. Make sure no soapy residue is left on the emeralds by fully submerging the jewelry.
- Use a soft, clean microfiber towel to dry the jewelry. The jewelry can be worn or stored once it has dried.
Conclusion
It is said that emerald stones were once a common feature of the jewelry pieces worn by Queens such as Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth. The stone was subsequently designated as the royal stone. Apart from being beautiful, emerald gemstones bring luck and many other benefits. If you have your heart set on a vibrant green emerald, then don’t hold back and make this gorgeous gem a part of your jewelry collection, as well as your life.
