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For thousands of years, the emerald has captivated the human imagination across the world. Enchanting and sophisticated, this gem is defined by its striking, instantly recognizable green. The birthstone of May, the emerald anniversary marks 40 years of wedding bliss.
While this precious stone is found in many jewelry pieces and luxury watches, it isn't for everyone. The emerald ring is most commonly set in yellow gold mounts, which bring out its precious, mysterious character while enhancing its brilliance. That said, it also pairs beautifully with white gold or platinum, creating jewelry with a more sleek, modern aesthetic. As for rose gold, it adds a touch of softness and charm to the gem.
Etymologically, the word "emerald" comes from the Persian "zamarat", meaning "heart of stone". In Latin, it became "smaragdus," before evolving into "esmeralda" - a name widely recognized today through Victor Hugo's famous work.
In ancient Egypt, this gem embodied many virtues and qualities, and was attributed various healing powers. Often worn as an amulet, emerald was synonymous with immortality and was one of Queen Cleopatra's favorite stones. Its appeal did not stop there: it was also worn by the emperors of the pre-Columbian civilizations. Finally, in Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was said to have been carved from an emerald that fell from Lucifer's forehead during the Fall of the Angels.
Emerald is a precious stone rich in symbolism and open to many interpretations. It represents renewal and romantic fidelity, and is also considered the stone of knowledge and wisdom. This gem is also said to bring fertility and wealth, and to protect travelers who carry it.
Emerald is a precious stone primarily used in fine jewelry, fine jewelry, and watchmaking. It is a gem found on many pieces such as emerald earrings and luxury watches.
As for production, emerald forms under very specific geological conditions. Its extraction requires great care and is extremely costly, which explains its rarity. The main emerald deposits are found in Colombia, Brazil, Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa), India, Russia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Belonging to the beryl family, emerald has a hexagonal crystal structure and a vitreous luster. It is a precious stone composed of aluminum and beryllium silicates, whose color ranges from pure green to blue-green due to the presence of chromium, vanadium, and iron.
On the Mohs scale, its hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8, and its density falls between 2.7 and 2.9. Emerald is a fragile gem, sensitive to impact, which calls for a very specific cut - rectangular with cut corners. This both protects the stone and showcases its beauty. Note that emerald is also frequently found in a more oval shape.
On a physical level, emerald is a naturally included stone (Type III precious stone). These inclusions are known as "emerald gardens" and form during the stone's natural growth. They are what give each gem its unique character.
When looking to acquire a precious stone such as emerald, it pays to choose wisely. To help you do so, here are three key criteria for assessing a stone's quality.
Color is one of the most important criteria - if not the most important - when evaluating an emerald. As with the ruby, the stone should be neither too light nor too dark, but vivid, deep, and even. The intensity of the green (from light to dark) is a matter of personal taste. Keep in mind, however, that a stone that is too dark will have far less brilliance and will be less enhanced by the metal it is paired with.
Most emeralds are included and therefore display small internal imperfections. As mentioned earlier, these are known as "emerald gardens." They should not deter you from making a purchase. On the contrary, these inclusions give each gem a unique character that sets it apart from all others. You simply need to ensure they do not prevent light from passing through - opacity being a sign of poor clarity (transparency indicating good clarity).
As for weight, emerald is a lighter precious stone than most. At the same carat weight, it can therefore appear larger than other gems.
When making your choice, it is essential to take these various elements into account. Keep in mind that they will directly influence the price of the stone you select. Whatever jewelry store you choose, always make sure to obtain an authenticity certificate.
Like its fellow precious stones, emerald offers a wealth of benefits and virtues to those who wear it. On an emotional level, emerald is the stone of the heart chakra and promotes inner balance. Known for relieving stress and anxiety, it brings mental clarity and wards off negative energy. It also plays a stimulating role on memory and knowledge, while nurturing bonds of friendship and love. Emerald soothes emotional distress and encourages tolerance and loyalty. It also facilitates union and clairvoyance.
On a physical level, emerald boasts many properties. It is best known for its beneficial effects on the eyes, helping to relieve eye conditions and fatigue. It can also help ease joint pain and migraines. Finally, it purifies the body and strengthens the immune system of anyone who wears an emerald pendant. Overall, this gem can help you recover more quickly from illness.
Whether as a treat for yourself or a gift for someone special, jewelry is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Emerald is a highly coveted precious stone with a strong following. When the time comes to choose, quality matters. Ocarat is committed to offering bracelets, necklaces, and luxury watches at the best prices. You'll find all kinds of stones and metals, including emerald. Handpicked to bring you the very best, the precious stones on Ocarat products deliver beauty and brilliance. Browse the catalog to find the jewelry or watch of your dreams.
Unlike other precious stones such as diamond, emerald is a fragile gem that is particularly sensitive to impact and other aggressions. It is therefore essential to handle it with care, avoid knocking it, and store it separately in a pouch or soft cloth. For cleaning, simply gently scrub the stone with slightly soapy warm water, then allow it to air dry.
To reduce the visibility of inclusions and bring out the stone's brilliance, it is common practice to soak the emerald in a natural, colorless fine oil such as cedarwood oil. Generally used in jewelry, this technique is considered "natural" and is widely accepted. Note that resin treatment, on the other hand, is an unnatural process that alters the stone and diminishes its value.
Buying fine jewelry set with a precious stone requires some specific knowledge. Ocarat tells you everything you need to know about precious stones and metals, and only offers quality products. Our online fine jewelry store also provides an authenticity certificate so you can know everything about the stone you purchase.
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