The Fascinating World of Emeralds: Origins, Composition, and Timeless Beauty
The rich green color of emeralds has fascinated people for many centuries long before us. The name originates from the ancient Greek word for “Green” as many believe emeralds were the pinnacle description of the color.
Emeralds have a long history of adorning royalty and the extremely rich as it is one of the rarest gemstones on the planet. True gem-quality emeralds are a sight to behold and can be so beautiful that one can gaze upon them for countless hours.
The very first emeralds were mined in Egypt around 330 BC up until about the 1700’s. Egypt produced many emeralds which even Cleopatra would wear but most of the mines have since been out of commission in recent times. Now the major producers of emeralds are Colombia and Zambia with other countries also producing in smaller amounts.
You can find emeralds in many locations including Brazil, North Carolina, Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. However, nothing can compare to the beauty of Colombian Emeralds. Colombia throughout recent history has been the major producer of emeralds worldwide as well as the finest quality emeralds until Zambia has recently taken its place. Emeralds from Colombia have graced high royalty and the extremely rich due to their immense beauty and intense color. Emeralds are one of the most valuable gemstones and as such can command high prices for premium qualities.
Emeralds belong to the Beryl family and are the most notable. They typically are often included as they are a Type 3 gemstone but have the most pure green color that cannot be found in other green stones. Emeralds are a Beryllium Aluminum Silicate and receive their intense color from high amounts of chromium and vanadium trace elements. Emeralds with higher amounts of vanadium like ones found in Zambia tend to be more free of inclusions compared to those with high amounts of Chromium like emeralds from Colombia.
Colombia: The Land of the Finest Emeralds
Colombia has been the major producer of the finest quality emeralds that have hit the market. When one thinks of the best quality emerald with the best color, Colombia is almost always the country of origin that fits the description.
Colombian emeralds have high amounts of the trace element Chromium which gives the fine-quality stones an intense pure green color sometimes with a hint of blue. Colombian emeralds of finer quality are also described to have ‘Jardin’ which means ‘garden’.
Jardin can only best be described by seeing a stone with this characteristic, as it is difficult to understand unless you can see it. However, jardin in a Colombian emerald is a description of a lush almost wavy pattern within the stone that almost makes it glow and move. This is a characteristic typically only of fine Colombian emeralds and commands high premiums on the market.
Most Colombian emeralds come from three main mines: Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez. Muzo is most notable for being the mine that has produced the highest quality emeralds the world has ever seen. A large Muzo emerald is often described as a most beautiful sight that very few people have the luxury of seeing in person. These emeralds when mined from these three mines are primarily traded in the neighboring city of Bogota, and then dispersed around the world for many to enjoy, as has been done for years.
Elegance and Value: Why Ayan Buys Emeralds
Premium quality emeralds have always been very expensive and very important in the jewelry industry. Emeralds of all qualities are used for making jewelry whether fine or mass-produced, but the finest stones are used for the finest jewelry.
We have a strong appreciation and a strong understanding of emeralds as we have traded them for over ten years. We in fact started our business buying and selling polished emeralds within the jewelry trade. We are always actively seeking fine quality emeralds especially Colombian because we have a strong market to sell them in.
If you have a fine-quality natural emerald or even a lesser quality emerald we are always looking to buy them and pay the highest market price! Contact us by calling or sending us a message in order to set up an appointment.
