Emeralds - Part 1

According to the theory of Color  Expression, each and every color affects our emotional and mental experience in a different way. We associate our emotions with colors very easily, for eg., red is the color which represents powerful emotions like courage, anger, resentment etc. Likewise every color has a psychological property. One of the color which instigates a very calming and soothing effect is the color Green. It represents harmony, refreshment and environmental awareness.

Nature has worked at its best to provide the mankind with this refreshing color everywhere, not only in the forms of flaura and fauna but even in the forms of gem material. One such exquisite example is – Emeralds.  Emerald is a gem best known for its vivacious green color and is one of the most desired gem in the world along with its other two big competitors ruby and blue sapphire. 

This post of The Jewel Affair is aimed at putting together all important information, facts and other interesting aspects of this gorgeous gem.

History of Emeralds

Emeralds have been unearthed for ages and have been encompassed by many cultures around the world. The name emerald is derived from Greek word Smaragdus, and over the years the name was altered. It is said that emeralds marked their presence in the history as early as 330 B.C and were mined in Egypt. Cleopatra, the Egyptian Pharaoh fancied emeralds.

Another important occurrence of emeralds was marked in the 16^th Century when Spanish invaded South America. Fine emeralds were discovered in Columbia and till date high quality emeralds are being mined. In fact, Columbian emeralds set the highest standards because of its extraordinary hues. The term “Columbian Emerald” is used to define finest quality emerald, irrespective of its origin.

Emeralds cast their spell not only in Egypt and South America but also countries like India, Iran and Rome. The treasures of the Mughals in India were loaded with emeralds and many a times sacred texts from Quran were inscribed on emerald tablets. The Iranian Crown Jewels have been adorned with Emeralds. Likewise, there are many such instances which have proved that emeralds have been fancied from times immemorial around the world.

Formation of Emeralds

Formation of emeralds is a fascinating process. Mankind is reaping the fruits of geological activities which have taken place millions of years ago.

Emerald formation can be divided in two categories:

Metamorphic formation – here emeralds are formed  in pegmatites which are igneous in nature and are a source of beryllium. During the cooling and crystallisation process, pegmatites come in contact with schists which are metamorphic in nature and a source of chromium or vanadium which result in formation of emeralds.

 

METAMORPHIC FORMATION

Hydrothermal Vein formation – a hydrothermal vein is formed when hot fluids carrying minerals enter a crack in the rock and the minerals crsytallise due to precipitation. When hot fluids carrying beryllium come in contact with sedimentary rocks like limestone which provide chromium emeralds are formed.

 

HYDROTHERMAL VEIN FORMATION

Important factors that help in determining the value of an Emerald:

Gemstones are valued with the help of various aspects such as cut, color clarity, origin, size etc.  Likewise emeralds also have certain important value factors, which include color, clarity and cut.

Color is the most significant feature when it comes to emeralds. The ideal emerald color ranges from a pure green to bluish green, having vivid saturation and a medium tone. If the blue or yellow overtones overpower, then the gem will not classify as an emerald, but as a different variety of the beryl group.

 

PURE GREEN EMERALD COLOR

BLUISH GREEN EMERALD COLOR

The most famous emerald sources like Columbia, Zambia, Brazil and Zimbabwe produce gems with color which are typical of the location. For example Columbian emeralds have a pure intense green color with or without the bluish overtones whereas, on the other hand Brazilian emeralds have stronger blue overtones and the color is slightly less saturated. Often the trade uses terms like “Colombian” , or “Zambian” to describe the color of an emerald irrespective of its source location.

Clarity is another imperative factor which has a great bearing on the value of an emerald. Mostly, emeralds display a variety of inclusions which affect the transparency of the gem. Emeralds commonly have a lot of fractures, fingerprint inclusions, two or three phase inclusions and mossy inclusions which are termed as jardin.  If the inclusions affect the transparency to a great extent then the value of an emerald drops drastically. Gem trade usually accepts visible inclusions in fine quality emeralds. Along with this most of the emeralds available in the market are treated to impove their appearance. Common treatments are fracture filling, oiling, laser treatment etc.

 

A THREE PHASE INCLUSION

FINGERPRINT INCLUSION

FRACTURES

JARDIN

Cut in an emerald depends a lot on its inclusions and depth of the color. A cutter has to fashion the gem in such a manner which enhances its value and minimise the weight loss. The most popular cut for emeralds is a kind of step cut which is called the emerald cut. In this cut the facets are parallel to each other and beveled corners along with a large table.

 

EMERALD CUT

When all these factors are in balance the value of an emerald escalates considerably.

Emeralds are extremely fascinating and so is the study of this gem. Part-2 of this article will talk in detail about various treatments carried out on emeralds along with important emerald mines and emerald imitations.