Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. With their dazzling green color, emeralds have been treasured for thousands of years (Cleopatra was known for her love of them). It has been said that emeralds have multiple benefits from curing diseases to giving their wearers the gift of eloquence.
Few areas have the right conditions to produce emeralds. Colombia has been the most important source for hundreds of years. The country set the standard for the gems, which command top prices. Though Colombia has been mining stunning gems for centuries, beautiful emeralds can also be found in Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. They aren’t as hard as gems such as diamonds, making them easy to scratch. Additionally, emeralds tend to have inclusions, and the vast majority are treated; eye-clean emeralds are incredibly rare. Therefore, they must be both handled and cleaned with great care.
Color is the most important value factor to consider when purchasing an emerald. Vivid pure green to bluish green are the most desirable. Stones with higher transparency also have greater value. In terms of shape, the emerald cut is the most popular choice for the gem, and when cut properly, their color is highlighted and the stone is vibrant.
All pictured items available at Peter Norman Jewelers
