Emerald, the pride of green colour, gives a peaceful smile when people look at it. This lush green mineral was first founded in Egypt. Naturally, there are bold reasons why people love to talk about emeralds in their own ways whether they are Rome’s Pliny The Elder or William Butler Yeats in his poem Easter, 1916 or in the holy book bible. Everyone is outshone by the legacy of Emerald.
It got its name from the Greek word for green colour i.e. smaragdus. Even Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt also had a passion for this lush green mineral. Emeralds in ancient times were first mined in Ancient Egypt at locations on Mount Smaragdus in 1500 BC, and in India and Austria since at least the 14th century AD.
Depending on the year, source, and grade, Colombia is by far the world’s largest producer of emeralds, accounting for 50–95% of global production.
This lush green precious gemstone is found in only a few parts of the world. Other than Columbia, emeralds are mainly extracted from the mines in Brazil, Zambia, and some parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Australia, the United States, and India.
Characteristics/Features
1. Colour
Talking of the characteristics the most important one is Colour
Emerald switches its colour from Bluish green to natural green (pure green). It comes with the broad vividness of variations. According to all research done since emerald was founded first, there are three elements that reside in emeralds also they are the reason why emerald is green in colour.
2. Weight
Emeralds are generally weighted in carats. There is a huge variance in sizes (mm) and weights(carats) in which emeralds are available in the market. The least-weight emerald is around 0.02 carats. But for a ring or for any other jewellery use, an emerald of weight 3.5 carats (around) should be there for use.
3. Cut
Cutting is something that increases or enhances the quality of gemstone jewellery. Cut in emerald can be described as how an emerald emerges after getting furnished. The lapidarist has to keep in mind what quality of rough does he have in his hand. Its depth of colour, durability, and inclusions when making cutting decisions.
4. Clarity
The clarity of a gemstone is not in the stone. It is in the eyes of one who is looking. Emeralds have very tiny insertions which can be seen in them by a normal human eye. Emeralds with the least or no insertions are very rare and the most expensive ones.