Emerald is one of the most Valuable Gemstones that is mined from our planet. Its great luscious green colour reminiscent of the flourishing spring with its trees and blooming vegetation. The Emerald is made from beryl just like aquamarine, scarlet emerald (now called red beryl, and morganite (pink variety of beryls). The first recorded Instances of emeralds were described in ancient civilizations like ancient Egypt and Greece, so this gemstone has a long cultural history behind it. Emeralds are timeless, not just another trend, but a status quo of jewellery.  The green gemstone is also the Birthstone of May, which is very appropriate due to its colour that reminds us of lush vegetation and blooming flowers!

Which are the factors that contribute to the impressive value of the Emerald?

Uses

Emerald is a gemstone that is a variety of the mineral beryl, which is coloured green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. Most emeralds are highly included, so their toughness is classified as generally poor but that does not stop the green gemstone from having its unique uses! (Chemically emerald is classified as cyclosilicate.)

The two main uses of emeralds contribute greatly to its ever-growing value.

The most prevalent use of emeralds today is plainly obvious. As a gemstone in gemstone jewellery. This stone is usually set in on emerald earrings adorned with diamonds and gold, emerald pendant necklaces that look mesmerising or funky green emerald rings that remind us of summer and spring!

There is also another use that is less frequently mentioned! Small amounts of beryl, mostly produced as a by-product of Emerald mining, are used to produce the valuable material called beryllium, which is an essential aerospace material for aircraft components, missiles, spacecraft, and satellites due to its very suitable properties.

Think twice if you believe gemstones are just for show!

Colour

The richer the colour the higher the value and subsequently the price tag! Emerald owes its green colour to microparticles like chromium and vanadium as we already said earlier. The more microparticles in the stone the richer the colour.  In order for an Emerald to be considered flawless, it needs to have a rich colour and the same colour consistency throughout the stone.

Another factor that will decide the value of the emerald is how nice the internal "Jardin"of the stone looks. Emerald  "Jardin" literally which translates to "garden" are the intricate inclusions inside the stone. The deepest green emeralds with the most intricate-looking gardens are the ones with the biggest value, surpassing even diamonds in per-carat price!

diamond treats emerald ring

History

Emerald is a historic gemstone. It is a part of many myths, fables, historical facts, thefts and conspiracies. In ancient history, in numerous occasions, Emeralds adorned the wrists, necks and ears of many royals like the Ancient Egyptian empress Cleopatra and they were mined from certain locations on Mount Smaragdus.

Emerald was so sought-after that the mines on Mount Smaragdus were exploited by Ancient Romans centuries later!

 

Demand and  Hearsay

Due to its properties, usability, and history, the emerald has acquired quite the fame. Emerald is the most expensive among the other beryls, due to its colour, internal garden (stringlike inclusions inside the gemstone) and special historic value. Emerald is the most expensive and valuable  of the beryl family because of these impressive feats.

To this great demand, another factor has contributed a lot throughout the years. This factor is hearsay. Emerald was said to enhance mental power to metaphysical extends, make the unconscious conscious and increase wisdom and zest for life. On top of that, people also believed that  Emeralds had certain health and dexterity benefits such as improved reflexes and speed, physical vigor and strength and cured chronic ailments of the body. Especially in older times, these beliefs were decisive factors that made people buy emeralds and other gemstones, as medicine was not that advanced and people needed protection!

Emeralds are arguably one of the prettiest precious stones that will be remembered and sought-after as long as mankind exists. It is a symbol of fertility, beauty, spring and wilderness captured in a precious stone.