Emerald – the king of gemstones
Emerald is one of the most sought-after and historically renowned gemstones. Its fresh green color evokes spring in full bloom – naturally refreshing and intensely deep. Set in jewelry, emerald radiates luxury without appearing pretentious. It carries both mystery and royalty within. Its name comes from the Greek word smaragdos – “green stone.”
Emerald – the most famous green gemstone in the world
Emerald is a variety of beryl. It exhibits dichroism, meaning a change in color depending on the angle of view and incoming light. It has been mined worldwide for more than 4,000 years. The first known mines were operated by the ancient Egyptians around 500 BC. Today, the most famous are the Colombian mines in Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor, producing intensely green stones of exceptional clarity.
Together with ruby and sapphire, emerald forms the so-called “big three” of colored gemstones. Emerald has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale and is usually full of inclusions (fractures), known as jardin (the French word for garden). Jardins are considered the fingerprints of Mother Nature — a mark of authenticity and beauty, not a flaw (as in other gemstones). For this reason, emeralds are often treated with oiling to enhance transparency. Generally, however, a rich-colored emerald full of inclusions will be more valuable than a flawless, lighter-colored stone.
Emerald Cut
Emerald has given its name to the characteristic cut – the Emerald Cut, most commonly applied to maximize the stone’s geometric yield. Emeralds are more fragile than diamonds and can be prone to fractures. The Emerald Cut, with its wide facets and cropped corners, helps reduce mechanical stress within the stone, thereby increasing its durability.
Caring for Emeralds
Emeralds should never be cleaned with ultrasound or steam. They can be gently treated with warm soapy water and a soft brush. If you feel your stone has lost some of its luster over the years, it may be time to have it re-oiled. Seek a professional for this process. While emeralds are relatively durable, we recommend storing them in their own box or a soft pouch.
Synthetic Emeralds
The first synthetic emeralds were created in the mid-19th century, but commercial production only began in the 1930s. Laboratory emeralds have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural emeralds. Compared to natural stones, they usually display higher clarity and a more uniform appearance. They are, of course, popular for their more accessible price. As an alternative to emeralds, green tourmaline can also be considered.
Korbička Jewelry offers rings, necklaces, earrings, and other pieces exclusively with genuine natural emeralds. The finest and highest-quality stones are personally selected by Luboš Korbička during his travels to Colombia. Read his diary from one of these journeys directly from the mines in the Muzo region.
The Most Famous Emeralds in History
Among the legendary emeralds is the Chalk Emerald (weighing 37.8 ct), which is now on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Equally breathtaking is the gigantic Gachala Emerald (858 ct) from Colombia. Another remarkable stone is the Mogul Mughal Emerald (218 ct) from the 17th century, which was said to have been carried by Shah Jahan, the architect of the famous Taj Mahal. Sacred texts were reportedly engraved into it. Legends also tell that emeralds enchanted the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and later European nobility – including the well-known Emperor Rudolf II.
Among Hollywood stars, emeralds were adored by Elizabeth Taylor. Actor and her future husband Richard Burton gifted her a brooch with a massive emerald during the filming of Cleopatra. Elizabeth Taylor also wore this jewel at their wedding.
The Vladimir Tiara (tiara = a type of crown) was owned by Queen Elizabeth II. She wore it often, as it was one of her favorite jewels. Later, it became the subject of speculation surrounding Meghan Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. British tabloids wrote that Markle wished to wear the tiara at her wedding, but was told she could not due to her “insufficient background.”
Emeralds also leave their green mark on Czech history. The St. Wenceslas Crown contains 30 emeralds! Jewelry making and gemstone cutting have a long tradition in Bohemia, particularly associated with the court of Rudolf II.
Emerald as a Gift Full of Symbolism
Thinking about giving an emerald as a gift? It is the birthstone for people born in May and the anniversary gemstone for the 20th, 35th, and 55th years of marriage. To own an emerald means to possess a piece of history, a piece of nature, and a true work of art. Every stone has its own personality.
Photo source: Forbes Life, Wikipedia