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?

Color of the year 2013 Emerald PANTONE 17-5641

In 2012 the color of the year was Tangerine Tango. This year we are indulging in Emerald.

Pantone has influenced almost every field when it comes to announcing the color of the  year. Fashion, interior design, graphic multimedia and industrial design will embrace this new color. 

Color has the power to change our emotions, mood, style, and attitude. Yellow in it’s shades represents, light, optimism, grace, positivism, and class.

Emerald green has been chosen as the perfect color to complement the spring palette. PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, is the Color of the Year for 2013.

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. 

Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity – no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

Emerald for Fashion

The prevalence of green has been steadily rising for several seasons, especially in the fashion and couture markets, and even on the red carpet. Appropriate for every occasion, Emerald’s classic elegance makes for striking and irresistible women’s formal and everyday wear as well as accessories. Emerald also makes a strong statement in men’s sportswear, knitwear and ties. Fashion designers featured in the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2013, including Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore, Barbara Tfank, NAHM and Marimekko, are incorporating Emerald into their spring collections. Balanced yet sophisticated, Emerald enlivens all colors in the spectrum and will continue to make a statement beyond spring and summer into fall and winter.

Lorena Balea-Raitz

Photos: Sandra Rugina, wikipedia

Precious Gemstones: Emerald

Emerald is the green variety of Beryl, and its most precious and valuable variety. Its intense green color has given it status as an important gemstone throughout the centuries. The color of Emerald is green to emerald-green. The light green form of Beryl is not recognized as Emerald, but rather Green Beryl. The deep color of Emerald is caused by traces of the element chromium, but sometimes also vanadium.

The ancient source of Emeralds in the old world was Egypt, but their quality was not exceptional. However, the Native South American civilizations such as the Incas have had high quality Emeralds from the mines of Colombia, which have traditionally produced the highest quality Emeralds and continue doing so.

Emeralds can be transparent and gemmy, in which case they are extremely valuable, or they can be in opaque or semi-opaque forms which are much more common and not as valuable.

They are sometimes heat treated, which causes their color to turn blue and transform into Aquamarine.

Emeralds are notorious for their flaws. Flawless stones are very uncommon, and are noted for their great value. Some actually prefer Emeralds with minute flaws over flawless Emeralds, as this proves authenticity. Flaws are often hidden by treating the Emeralds with oil or synthetic lubricants, and this is a common practice in the industry. 

Though Colombian Emeralds have traditionally been the highest quality Emeralds with the finest green color, a new source of Emerald from the African country of Zambia has been producing deep green Emeralds with fewer flaws.

Though Emerald has good hardness, it is a brittle stone. It may develop internal cracks if banged hard or if subject to extreme temperature change. Emeralds that were treated to mask internal flaws should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, nor should they be washed with soap. These practices may remove the oiling treatment and expose the hidden internal flaws.

USES  

Transparent emeralds are faceted into gem cuts for jewelry, and make one of the most popular jewelry gemstones. Emerald is very sensitive to pressure and banging, and the well-known emerald cut was developed specifically for this gem to reduce the amount of pressure during cutting. Translucent Emeralds are cut and polished into cabochons and beads, as are Trapiche Emeralds. 

Emerald is the birthstone of May.

VARIETIES  

Brazilian Emerald  -   Emerald from Brazil. The term Brazilian Emerald may also refer to green Tourmaline from Brazil.

Cat’s Eye Emerald  -  Emerald exhibiting cat’s eye effect. Cat’s eye emerald is very rare, and only exists on paler Emeralds.

Colombian Emerald  -   Emerald from Colombia. This Emerald is usually regarded as the highest quality.

Star Emerald  -  Synonym of Trapiche Emerald.

Trapiche Emerald  -   Emerald with black impurities in the form of a six-rayed star.

Zambian Emerald  -  Emerald from the African country of Zambia. Zambian Emeralds can have very good color and transparency. 

FALSE NAMES  

Emeralds have been synthetically produced since 1848. Synthetic Emeralds currently produced can be very similar to true, natural Emeralds to the point that they may be virtually indistinguishable by normal means. Here are some names for synthetic emerald to watch out for:

Biron Emerald

Chathan Emerald

Gilson Emerald

Kimberly Emerald

Lennix Emerald

Linde Emerald

Regency Emerald

Zerfass Emerald

Glass dyed green is also a major Emerald simulator. The color of green glass and emerald may be identical, but other physical and optical properties can easily differentiate the two. Some fraudulent names given to green glass used as jewelry:

Broghton Emerald

Endura Emerald

Ferrer’s Emerald

Medina Emerald

Mount St. Helen’s Emerald

Spanish Emerald

Emerald in different cultures, and emerald lore

The Gachala Emerald is one of the largest gem emeralds in the world, at 858 carats (172 g). This stone was found in 1967 at La Vega de San Juan mine in Gachalá, Colombia. It is housed at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Birthstones – Gemstones that tell about you April, May

Are sapphires lucky for you and when will you benefit from using them the most? Do you know your birthstone?

For every month, there is a gemstone that is set to describe the person thatis born in during the month. Birthstones include precious gemstones, like diamonds, and semiprecious gems, for example turquoise. Birthstones describe the twelve months and people that are born in certain month the same way than horoscopes do.

All the birthstones are believed to have healing powers for different illnesses and health problems. All the birthstones also have different good features in them, like creativity or happiness. Birthstones are believed to bring extra luck on its own chosen month, so if you feel like you need some extra help with your lottery numbers, read on what gemstone will benefit you the most.

April: Diamond

The most appreciated gemstone of all, Diamond, is the birthstone for April. These expensive birthstones come in almost every color. Diamond is believed to bring increasing inner strength and make relationships better. Diamonds bring balance, clarity and abundance to its user. 

If you have health  problems relating with brain diseases or want to remove toxins, diamonds are believed to help.

May: Emerald

May birthstone is gorgeously green emerald. Emeralds are said to bring Friendship, loyalty and faithfulness to its user. Emeralds will help with clairvoyance, memory and faith. If you have problems with fertility, spine or headaches, emeralds are believed to help.

Text: Susan Fred; photos: Sandra Rugina, Pasi Torkkeli