If you have ever found yourself wondering about the precious green gemstone called emerald, welcome and congratulations, for all your curiosity is about to be quenched. Emeralds are the finest naturally occurring green color gemstones known to mankind. They have been favored by royals and aristocrats over the past centuries and still remain relevant on account of their scintillating beauty and rarity. Here are all the questions you could possibly have about the brilliant green gemstone, answered thoroughly:
Emerald FAQs
- What is an emerald?
- Where does the word “emerald” come from?
- Why are emeralds green?
- How is the value of an emerald determined?
- How to identify a fake emerald?
- What do emeralds symbolize?
- Where are emeralds found?
- How did emeralds become so popular?
- Are emeralds rare?
- Are synthetic emeralds fake?
- What are some myths associated with Emeralds?
- What does the emerald cut have to do with emeralds?
- How much do emeralds cost?
- Are emeralds used in engagement rings?
- What are some of the world’s most famous emeralds?
- Do emeralds signify an anniversary year?
- Is emerald a birthstone?
- Can I wear Emerald jewelry on a daily basis?
- What kinds of treatments are performed on emeralds?
- How to take care of emerald jewelry?
- What is the astrological significance of emeralds?
Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald Gemstone
What is an emerald?
Emerald is the most famous green gemstone in the world. It is a member of the beryl mineral family. Other members include aquamarine (blue) and morganite (pink).
Where does the word “emerald” come from?
Emerald finds its roots in the Latin word smaragdus which means green.
Why are emeralds green?
Emeralds are beryls with trace amounts of iron, chromium, and vanadium. Variations in the presence of these elements determine the coloring of an emerald. When iron is in excess the gemstone takes on a blue hue. On the other hand, when chromium and vanadium are in excess, the gemstone becomes bright green. Color saturation is an important factor in assessing the quality of an emerald.
How is the value of an emerald determined?
The quality of emeralds is determined like that of any other gemstone, that is, on the basis of color saturation, clarity, cut and carat weight. If a crystal of emerald has very few inclusions and a vivid green hue, it will be considered a high-quality specimen. The craftsmanship that goes into faceting a gemstone to fetch maximum sparkle is also a key factor in determining its value. The price per carat of emerald goes up with the increase in size.
How to identify a fake emerald?
Refer to an expert to check the authenticity of any gemstone. You can conduct a preliminary check by inspecting the hue. If it is bluish or yellowish the “emerald” may not be real. Another way to check is to hold the gem under a bright light, if a rainbow-coloured flash is emitted then the stone is probably fake.
What do emeralds symbolize?
Emeralds are associated with spring and often called the gemstone of rebirth. Emeralds represent hope and new beginnings.
Where are emeralds found?
A majority of the world’s high-quality emeralds come from Colombia in South America, Zambia and Brazil. Other emerald producing nations include Australia, Zimbabwe, Italy, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Spain, India, Germany etc.
How did emeralds become so popular?
Emeralds gained prominence in many ancient civilizations. They were revered in ancient Egypt as the stone of eternal youth and adored by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra who was famous for her beauty. They were also associated with Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Emeralds were also believed to have magical healing properties. Modern royals and aristocrats used emerald jewelry as a status symbol, popularizing it further.
Also read, Famous Emerald Collection >>
Are emeralds rare?
While emeralds are mined in several regions of the world, high quality emeralds are even rarer than diamonds.
Are synthetic emeralds fake?
No. Lab generated synthetic emeralds are alternatives to natural emeralds. Very expensive machinery and strong scientific skills are required to create emeralds in the laboratory and they are very valuable as well.
What are some myths associated with Emeralds?
There are several myths associated with emeralds. They are believed to reveal the true intentions of a lover and give its wearer the power of clairvoyance.
What does the emerald cut have to do with emeralds?
The emerald cut is a popular shape into which gemstones are cut. It is most suitable for gemstones prone to fractures. Emeralds are also cut in this shape, but it isn’t exclusively reserved for emeralds.
How much do emeralds cost?
The cost depends entirely on quality. 1 carat of high-grade emerald can cost anywhere between $800 to $3000.
Are emeralds used in engagement rings?
Yes. In fact, emeralds are among the most popular engagement ring gemstones. While diamonds have maintained a monopoly over engagement rings, modern engagement rings feature several other gemstones. Emerald stone engagement rings are very popular in the industry.
What are some of the world’s most famous emeralds?
Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald brooch, The Chalk Emerald at the National Museum of Natural History, Queen Elizabeth II’s Vladimir Tiara, Catherine the Great’s Emerald Necklace, The Flagler Emerald and the Rockefeller Emerald are among the world’s most famous Emeralds.
Do emeralds signify an anniversary year?
Yes. Emeralds Signify the 55th wedding anniversary.
Is emerald a birthstone?
Yes. Emerald is the May birthstone.
Can I wear Emerald jewelry on a daily basis?
Go for it. Emeralds are quite sturdy. They score between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness which is universally used to assess the hardness of various gemstones. Since the score is pretty high, you can wear a piece of emerald jewelry regularly.
What kinds of treatments are performed on emeralds?
In order to increase clarity and deepen color, natural emeralds are often chemically treated. Oil treatments are used to fill fractures, conceal flaws and improve color. Opticon fillers perform the aforementioned functions and also improve durability of the gemstone. Emeralds are not heat-treated like many other color gemstones.
How to take care of emerald jewelry?
Like all gemstones and jewels, emeralds also require basic maintenance. Emerald jewels can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid exposure to excess heat and harsh chemicals. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning is also safe as long as you are not dealing with a fracture filled emerald.
What is the astrological significance of emeralds?
In astrology, emeralds are often termed ‘the stone of prosperity’. It represents Mercury and bestows intellect, wisdom and good marketing skills upon its wearer. However, people with Sagittarius ascendant should not wear emerald.
If you are looking to buy an emerald, be sure to visit our brilliant collection of loose emeralds and emerald jewelry.
