In Stock

The name emerald is derived from a Persian word, which later appeared in Greek as smaragds and then as smaragdus Rome’s Pliny the elder described emerald in his natural history, published in the first century AD. Nothing greens greener was his verdict.

Historically the first emerald mines were by the red sea in Egypt, that was called CLEOPATRA’S EMERALD MINES. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emeralds, and used it in her royal adornments.

Emerald’s green colour is known to relive stress and eye strain.
The world’s best emeralds are know to come from Colombia.

Emeralds that are filled with oil, over a period of time oil can evaporate and leave brown, white or yellowish residue.

Chemical composition
Beryllium Aluminum Silicate with Iron, Chromium and Vanadium

Species       Beryl

Refractive Index       1.576-1.582 (+/- 0.017)

Specific gravity       2.67-2.78

Melting point       1300 C (Approx)

Best source
Colombia (fine Colombian emeralds are highly regarded for their excellent color)

Other sources
Afghanistan

Brazil

Pakistan

Russia Zambia       A major Commercial source

Zimbabwe       The Sandawana Valley is a famous source

Treatments
Fracture filling Filling surface reaching fractures with colourless oils or resins. it improves clarity and colour.

Dyeing Adding colorant to the oil or resins used in the fracture filing process. Improves emerald color, gives light colored beryl an emerald green.

Coating Covering a light colored beryl with a green plastic. Creates an emerald imitation

Hardness & Toughness
Hardness (resistance to scratching) 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale

Toughness (resistance to breaking and chipping) Poor to Good

Stability (Resistance to Heat and Chemicals)
Heat       May cause fractures

Light       Fracture filling may dry out or alter under intense light

Chemicals       Fracture filling may be affected by any type of chemicals, emerald itself is resistance to all acids except hydrofluoric

Synthetics
Synthetics Emeralds are readily available in the market.

Emeralds are grown in the laboratory by HYDROTHERMAL AND FLUX METHODS

THE ONLY WAY TO SEPRATE NATURAL EMERALD FROM LAB GROWN EMERALD IS THROUGH INCLUSION (MAGNIFICATION)

Care and cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning       Never

Steam cleaning       Never

Warm soapy water       Usually safe. avoid vigorous scrubbing

Untreated emeralds command premium prices. An untreated emerald can be up to 50% more valuable than a treated one of the same apparent quality.

Compare
Categories: ,
Name
Email
Phone
Enquiry