Gemstone study - African Emeralds

The best emeralds in the world are known to originate from the mountains of Colombia, but there is a new hot spot that has been the source of many of 2015’s most beautiful green gems: Africa. With Colombian emeralds becoming increasingly rare and very expensive, the most exclusive jewellery houses have been turning to African emeralds. With a slightly different hue to grass-green Colombian emeralds, African emeralds tend to be more blue-green, but just like emeralds of Colombian origin, variations in depth and intensity of colour are common.

Because of their intense green colour, Colombian emeralds have always been highly prized and, in particular, those from the legendary Muzo mine that dates back to the 16th century. Unlike other precious stones, gemologists can often pinpoint an emerald to a specific mine according to the crystal structure, with its inclusions, known as "gardens", making it easier to determine an African from a Colombian emerald.

On the right: Shaun Leane white diamond and marquise-cut emerald earrings, from the Aerial collection.


But over the past five years there has been a marked rise in the presence of African emeralds in high jewellery creations. Only last week Bulgari showcased a pair of Diva African emerald earrings alongside a Colombian emerald necklace. And, last year, actress Mila Kunis headed the Gemfield's emerald campaign wearing a stunning Fabergé emerald necklace aglow with the verdant hues of gems originating from Zambia, raising the profile of this traditional stone among a younger audience:

• Zambia Produces 20% of the worlds Emerald
• Zambian Emeralds are generally cleaner and more saturated in color than Columbian Emeralds
• Gemfields and Tiffany & Co. have been instrumental in brining the Zambian Emerald to market.

Zambian cabochon emerald necklace by David Morris in white gold.

Emerald mining began in Zambia during 1976. The region of South Africa where Zambia resides is rich in minerals and gemstones. Some of the neighbouring countries include Tanzania (famous for Tanzanite), Mozambique (famous for Rubies) and Botswana (famous for Diamonds). The discovery of large amount of Emeralds in Zambia sent excitement through the gemstone world.

Popularity of Zambian Emeralds

Zambian EmeraldsThe popularity of Zambian emeralds has been on a rise over the past few years. It has enabled the country to gain a reputation of being one of the greatest sources of Emeralds. In the world of Emeralds, Zambia is still considered to be the second best as far as the production of such eye catching emeralds is concerned. While the value of the Zambian emeralds keeps increasing, the prices are considerably lower as compared to the ones which are mined in Columbia. Columbian Emeralds are leading the popularity race for Emeralds. Luckily the difference in price doesn’t imply any kind of a shortcoming as far as the quality of the emerald is concerned.

Now that you are aware of the basic information regarding the Zambian emeralds, let us mentioned a few of the facts about such gemstones in order to let you have a better idea.

• On the Mohs scale of hardness, the Zambian emeralds are capable of standing at an amazing 7.5 to 8 which depicts their utter strength.
• Emeralds can be a fragile gemstone so care should be taken when they are worn.
• Not only are these emeralds considered as the May birthstone, but they are also used as a traditional gift for 20th or 35th anniversary

If you are into eye catching green emeralds, then Zambian emeralds are certainly not going to disappoint you in any way. Not only are these perfect for pretty much all settings, but they do also have a timeless quality to offer. What else could you possibly ask for?