Emerald gemstones and what is worth knowing about them?

Emeralds – bright, playful and extremely luxurious stones  

Emeralds are one of the most valuable and fascinating gemstones, attracting attention with their unique greenish glow. They have been considered a symbol of luxury, love and eternity since ancient times. In order to appreciate the value and uniqueness of these gemstones, it is worth better understanding their origin, properties and care features. Both natural and laboratory-created emeralds can be found on the market. Synthetic stones are much cheaper, but a laboratory-created emerald is usually much easier to recognize than any other laboratory-created gemstone. 

Origin and history of emeralds 

Emeralds belong to the beryl group of minerals, their color is determined by impurities of chromium and vanadium. These stones were known to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians considered emeralds a symbol of beauty and rebirth, and Cleopatra was known as a fan of these gems. Emerald mines in Egypt were among the most important in the world until the 16th century, when the Spanish discovered huge quantities of emeralds in the territory of Colombia. To this day, Colombia is considered one of the main suppliers of emeralds, but they are also found in other countries: Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Properties of emeralds 

Emeralds are graded based on four main criteria: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The same goes for other gemstones.  

1. Color: the highest quality emeralds are characterized by a rich, pure green color with a barely noticeable bluish tint. Emeralds that are too pale or too dark are somewhat less valuable. Of course, when it comes to jewelry, more attention is paid not to the value of the gemstone, but to the aesthetic overall image, which consists not only of the stone, but also of the entire jewelry structure in which the stone is encrusted. Thus, sometimes a pale stone or one with many inclusions can be more desirable than a completely transparent and rich green one. 

1. Transparency: Emeralds often have natural inclusions, called the "garden" effect. These are all traces of minerals, gases or liquids. Inclusions can reduce the value of the stone, but they also testify to its naturalness. This is why, as we mentioned above, laboratory emeralds are easier to recognize, because their inclusions are of slightly different shapes. 

1. Sanding: quality cutting allows the gemstone to reveal the beauty and brilliance of its color. Emerald is quite fragile, so the cutting must be carefully selected and performed with high quality.  

1. Carat weight: Like other gemstones, emeralds' prices increase with their carat weight. Larger stones are rarer, so they command a much higher price than smaller ones. 

Emerald Care 

Emeralds are fragile and require a little more special care. They should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature or strong impacts. It is recommended to avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning methods when cleaning, as they can damage the structure of the stone. It is best to clean emeralds with mild soapy water and a soft brush. 

Additionally, many emeralds are treated with oils to enhance their shine. This procedure is common and recognized by jewelers, but the oil can evaporate over time.  

If you want to make a piece of jewelry with emerald, be sure to choose a reliable jeweler! Due to its fragility, emerald must be very carefully inlaid into jewelry. There are situations when an inexperienced jeweler who is unfamiliar with this type of stone damages the stone during inlay. It can crack or crumble.  

What does the emerald symbolize? 

Emeralds have long been considered a symbol of love, wisdom, and harmony. They are often used in engagement rings, symbolizing eternal love and commitment. Emeralds are believed to bring peace, strengthen intuition, and protect against negative energies.  

Green is considered a calming color, as well as a joyous one. Indeed, especially when it's dreary and cold outside, sometimes all you need to do is look at a bright accessory and feel better.  

Emeralds remain one of the most sought-after stones in modern jewelry due to their elegance and versatility. They blend perfectly with gold, diamonds and other gemstones, creating an impression of luxury and sophistication. The green stone blends wonderfully with yellow gold, creating a particularly warm, positive piece of jewelry. 

What jewelry with emeralds is the most popular? 

Of course, these statistics are different in every part of the world, but based on personal experience, the most popular jewelry items are: engagement rings, row rings, stud earrings, and various luxury sets.  

Engagement rings are chosen by bright personalities, rings - rows and earrings - studs are for more everyday wear, and luxurious sets are ordered by those who like to dress up in a special way or for special occasions or events.   

If you dream of a truly high-quality jewelry product with emeralds, we invite you for a professional consultation with RG Juvelyrika, we will provide you with all the information about the gems we offer, their types and preliminary prices. We always take into account the wishes of our customers and offer the best possible option. You can find us at Šeškinė st. 32, Vilnius or contact e-mail by post info@rgjuvelyrika.lt and by phone +37064705546 section Contacts.