Emerald is one of the most known and appreciated gems. We know it for its bright and intense green color, but in how many we know why it assumes this color, or what properties it must have in order to be defined pure and authentic?
In jewelry is a very precious and particular gem, also for the way it is cut. In this article we will talk about the characteristics of emerald, we will find out where it is extracted and in what varieties you can find it, also seeing what are the most expensive varieties and how to choose the type of emerald that is most suitable for us.
The characteristics of the emerald
Colour and authenticity
As we have already mentioned, the most known characteristic of the emerald is definitely its intense green hue.
Its shade is due to the chromium oxide and vanadium present inside. Only if both of these elements are present inside can we talk about an authentic emerald, in fact when only vanadium is present is a simple green beryl.
Often they can also take shades from yellow to blue, but it is important that these colors are present in minimal part.
In fact, if a gem is too light green or off, or with a too yellow or blue color, it is no longer possible to speak of emerald, but only of green beryl or heliodor.
Harshness
Emerald, as well as aquamarine stone, is part of the variety of beryl, minerals that are generated in crystalline formations.
Although it is a hard stone, emerald is a rather delicate and fragile gem, which can easily fracture not only after a shock but also due to temperature changes.
For this reason emerald is more suitable for making pendants rather than rings, which are more subject to scratches and strokes.
Rarities and imperfections
Emeralds are very often characterized by imperfections and inclusions.
The pure and perfect gems are very rare, and for this reason they come to have very high prices.
Very often emeralds are treated with chemical processes that can hide imperfections.
Types of emeralds and extraction sites
The main emerald deposits are found in Colombia, in the Andes, within veins of metamorphic or calcareous stones: from here come the most beautiful gems in the world.
Their uniqueness consists precisely in being born inside sedimentary rocks, environments with a high salt content that removes from the crystals all the impurities brought by iron.
That’s why Colombian emeralds are so expensive.
From some Colombian mines are emerald extracts with very small carbon inclusions that give the gems a star effect. These are called tropiche emeralds.
Other deposits are also found in Brazil, however they are stones with a strong vanadium component that alters the color by darkening it a lot.
In Brazil are found emeralds of the cat’s eye variety, with the refractive effect types given by the presence of microcrystals of golden chrysoberyl.
The smerandi are also extracted in Africa, also here with a strong presence of vanadium that darkens the shade. It’s in South Africa that you find the oldest deposits, 2.97 billion years old.
From the deposits of Zambia are extracted stones with shades tending to blue, exceptionally transparent.
Other deposits are in Asia, Australia and the United States.
The use of emeralds in jewellery
Processing and use
The purest emeralds are typically used for making jewelry, but should be treated with the utmost care, especially during cutting. A characteristic of emerald is in fact the delicacy, which makes these gems very susceptible to pressure and vibration, even caused by noise.
To work the emeralds has been developed a particular cut called, in fact, emerald, which allows to reduce the pressure during the processing of the gem and limit the possibility of causing fractures or cracks.
As for the emeralds drill characterized by the star design, which we talked about earlier, are usually cut into pearls or cabochons, so as to enhance the shine and color.
How to choose the right emerald without making mistakes
Before buying an emerald you should seek advice from an experienced jeweler, this is in fact the only way to make sure you make the purchase of a jewel with authentic emeralds. Relying on unsafe sources is not the best choice, since depending on the variety and purity of these stones can differ greatly.
A good solution for those who can not or do not want to spend large sums, getting a jewel with fine features, is to rely on a jeweler who can make a jewel with synthetic emeralds. In fact, emeralds obtained in the laboratory with hydrothermal processes are quite common, with dimensions and color very similar to those of a natural stone, with an excellent gloss and no imperfections. Their appearance is so valuable that they are often used in jewelry offering them at affordable prices.
