EMERALD AND DIAMOND DROP EARRINGS Each earring features a pear shape emerald drop connected to an oval emerald surmount totaling more than 14 carats, by two pear brilliant diamonds and one square emerald cut diamond and pave set diamonds totaling more than 4 carats, set in 18K yellow gold. EMERALD AND DIAMOND RING Features a cushion cut emerald totaling 12 carats, set in 18K white gold accented with diamonds totaling more than 2 carats. EMERALD AND DIAMOND PENDANT The pendant features a square cut emerald totaling more than 6 carats set in quarterfoil with round and baguette diamonds, set in 18K white gold. EMERALD AND DIAMOND BRACELET Features 9 natural emerald-cut emeralds totaling more than 24 carats accented with diamonds, set in platinum.
green among colored stones for thousands of years. Just like other colored gemstones, a well-trained eye is needed to identify the variations that make considerable differenc - es pertaining to value. COLOR The sought-after emerald colors are bluish green to pure green, with vibrant color saturation and a tone that is not very dark. The most-prized emeralds are highly transpar- ent. Color is evenly distributed and lacks color zoning. Em- eralds are a variety of beryl. If their hue is too blue or yel- low, the stone is not emerald, but instead a different variety of beryl. Thus, the value would drop accordingly. Trace elements, chromium, vanadium and iron produce the color in emeralds. The presence — or lack of — these factors and their relative amounts establish the color of the emerald crystal. As with all colored gemstones, origin plays a role in determining value. Mines from Colombia, such as Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez, produce emeralds with intense green color and warmth. Mines from Zambia tend to produce em- eralds with a more bluish-green color and a cooler cast. CLARITY Emeralds generally contain inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Emeralds without visible inclusions are exceed- ingly rare. An emerald’s inclusions are often referred to as
jardin, French for garden, since the inclusions often resem - ble mossy or gardenlike foliage. Inclusions in emeralds are like fingerprints: They give each stone a unique personal - ity. In colored stones, transparency and clarity are closely linked. This is especially true for emeralds. The trade ac- cepts eye-visible inclusions in higher-quality emeralds — but, when the inclusions have a negative effect on transpar - ency and clarity, they also dramatically reduce value. CUT The value of a gemstone is often associated with its car- at weight, and cutting emeralds requires considerations concerning inclusions, durability and color. Rough from Colombia presents its challenges from its coloring agents. The surface often has a more intense color and cutting may result in a lighter material. CARATS Emeralds are available in a range of sizes, the smallest sizes varying from 1 to 5 millimeters with weights from 0.02 to 0.50 carat. One to five carat stones are popular as center stones. Like with all great stones, the prices of emeralds can increase dramatically as the size increases.
The emeralds the ancients adored were nowhere near as beautiful as those mined today. The modern emeraldboun- ty began almost five centuries ago, when Spanish explorers arrived in the New World. Moctezuma presented Cortés with a staggering emerald crystal, much larger and finer than any ever seen before. The Aztecs and Incas believed emeralds empowered the owner with foresight and they were regarded as amulets of good fortune. The Spaniards spent years searching for the source of the mines of these glowing green gems. In 1537, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesa - da learned that the source of the emeralds was located at Somondoco, meaning god of the green stones. They found it — finally — in what is present-day Colombia. Colombia remains the world’s largest and most famous emerald source. Colombian stones have the highest repu- tation. However, Brazil, Zambia, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have emerged as major sources, as well. Smaller, irregular amounts are produced from Madagascar, Nigeria, Afghan - istan, Pakistan, Canada, Russia and others. Emeralds are adored for their rich, distinctly green color of the beryl mineral family. Emeralds have been one of the most desirable and valuable colored stones for more than 5,000 years. An emerald can have a bluish-green to green to a slightly yellowish-green color. Stones with faint satura-
tion that appear lighter are referred to as green beryl.
An emerald is most often cut in a rectangular step-cut, which is now popularly known as the emerald cut. Small- er sizes are also found in rounds, ovals, pear shapes and marquise cuts. You may have to look a while for an unusu - al shape in a larger size. Due to their rich color, emeralds are also spectacular when cut in a smooth-domed cabochon cut. Emeralds, among the rarest of gems, are almost always found with birthmarks, known as inclusions. Some in- clusions are expected and do not detract from the value of the stone as much as with other gemstones. However, you should look to make sure that fissures do not go too deep into the stone, so that it might be weakened enough to break if it were hit accidentally. The fissures that are characteristic of emeralds are traditionally filled with oil or resin to make them less visible. You should assume that your emerald has been improved in this way, unless it has a laboratory certificate indicating otherwise. Such rare stones command a considerable premium. Emeralds have many special qualities, but colored-gem- stone professionals generally agree that emeralds are pri- marily about color. Emeralds have been the standard for
To schedule a viewing of these rarefied stones, contact de Boulle at 214-522-2400 or 713-621-2400.
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