Emeralds Stones

Emerald

Emerald, the most valuable member of the beryl family and one of the most highly prized of all gems, is a chrome-rich aluminum-beryllium silicate. The name beryl (pronounced BARE-ill, not "burl") evolved from the Greek through the Latin "beryllus" the meaning of which is uncertain. Emerald is a derivative of an ancient Persian word, and has come to us through such corruptions of the Latin "smaragdus" as "esmeraude", "emeraude" and" esmeralde". The present spelling did not become a part of the English language until the sixteenth century.

Medium light to medium dark tones of green beryl are called emerald. Stones that are light or very light green are properly called green beryl rather than emerald. Since it has been used for many years, the usual trade classification based on geographical location is given below for information, but with the recommendation that the grading system on the price chart later in the assignment replaces the locality terminology.

Chemically : 

Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.[2] Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the 10 point 

Mechanically : 

Mohs scale of mineral hardness.[2] Most emeralds are highly included, so their toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor.

Colombian Emeralds

The finest emeralds have always come from this South American republic. Relatively clear pure green, slightly yellowish or slightly bluish-green stones are called Colombian emeralds. Actually, the average output from the Muzo, Chivor, Cosquez arid Gachala mines differs and each, produces a range of qualities. A fine emerald may be referred to as Colombian, regardless of source, or it may be called a Muzo, Chivor etc. Muzo produces the finest colors, but the stones are usually more heavily flawed than those from Chivor.

Russian, or Siberian Emeralds

The emeralds produced by the mines of the Ural Mountain area are characteristically more yellowish green, more heavily flawed, and slightly lighter in color than Colombian stones.

Brazilian Emeralds

Most of the green material produced in Brazil is more properly classified as green beryl, but some stones are sufficiently deep in tone to be called emerald. This pegmatite material is usually almost free from flaws. Heavily flawed crystals are found in micaschist in Brazil, but they are not ordinarily designated Brazilian emeralds in the trade.

Sandawana Emeralds

These emeralds found in a schist bordering a pegmatite in the Belingwe Native Reserve country of Rhodesia are marketed under the name Sandawana emeralds. The color of this best quality material is a fine deep emerald green, but owing to the flawed nature of the crystals, cut stones over a quarter of a carat in weight are rare.

Emerald Stone Finger Ring                      Green emerald stone necklac      Emerald Stone Choker Necklace

Check out More Bridal jewellery 

Pliny the Elder, that learned Roman scholar whose observations on the beauties and wonders of nature are so often quoted today, once gave this reverent appraisal of emerald in these words:

"Indeed, no stone has a color that is more delightful to the eye, for, whereas the sight fixes itself with avidity upon the green grass and the foliage of the trees, we have all the more pleasure in looking upon the emerald, there being no green in existence more intense than this. And then, besides, of all the precious stones, this is the only one that feeds the sight without satiating it. Neither sunshine, shade nor artificial light effects any change in its appearance; it has always a softened and graduated brilliancy."

The Romans also took a seriously medical view of emerald's pleasing qualities on the eye. Pliny further records:

"If the sight has been wearied or dimmed by intensively looking on any other object, it is refreshed and restored by gazing upon this stone. And lapidaries who cut and engrave fine gems know this well, for they have no better method of resting their eyes than by looking at the emerald, its soft, green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude."

The verdant beauty of the emerald has entranced mankind throughout the ages. It is particularly appropriate that this lovely green gem has been chosen as the birthstone for the month of May to symbolize the beauty and promise of nature in the spring of each year. It is equally appropriate that it has been chosen to symbolize faith, kindness and goodness. Long ago, emerald was dedicated to the goddess Venus, and lovers were told that it was endowed with the power of revealing the faithfulness of the beloved


Bridal jewellery collection by ‘David Yurm'

Engagement Rings