The Green Fire of Emerald
Emerald is the most precious of the green gemstones and one of the four precious stones, alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire. Its lush, vivid green colour has enchanted civilisations for thousands of years — Cleopatra was so famously obsessed with emeralds that she claimed ownership of all Egyptian emerald mines. At Corelune Jewellery, we share her passion for this extraordinary gem.
What Makes an Emerald?
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, coloured green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. The depth and saturation of green determines an emerald's quality and value. The finest emeralds display a vivid, slightly bluish-green hue with strong saturation and good tone.
Colombian vs Zambian Emeralds
Colombia has been the world's most important emerald source for centuries, producing stones renowned for their exceptional colour and brilliance. Muzo and Chivor are the most famous Colombian mining regions. Zambian emeralds have risen dramatically in prominence in recent decades — they tend to be slightly more bluish-green than Colombian stones, with excellent clarity, and are generally more affordable.
Understanding Emerald Inclusions
Almost all emeralds contain inclusions — the French call them jardin (garden) — and unlike diamonds, visible inclusions in emeralds are not considered a major flaw as long as they don't affect the stone's structural integrity. An eye-clean emerald with exceptional colour is extremely rare and extremely valuable.
Emerald Treatments
The vast majority of emeralds are oiled — surface-reaching fractures are filled with cedar oil or resin to improve clarity and appearance. This is an accepted industry standard. Always ask your jeweller about the degree of treatment in any emerald you purchase.
Caring for Emerald Jewellery
Emeralds are sensitive to heat, chemicals, and ultrasonic cleaners — all of which can remove oils and damage the stone. Clean emerald jewellery gently with a soft damp cloth and mild soap, and store separately to avoid scratching by harder stones.
Discover our emerald jewellery collection at Corelune Jewellery and own a piece of history.