Thanks for taking the time out and visiting our guide that is really about shopping for high end rare and exquisite fine jewelry pieces like Colombian Emeralds and exotic gemstones. Shopping online requires lots of attention, homework education, and sharpness. If you also like Burma Rubies, Kashmir Sapphires, Tanzanites or Diamond jewelry, you will need to know about your product before you are interested to talk about it and take action. When you know more about the product that you are interested in buying, the seller will not attempt to rip you off as they definately cannot make a fool out of you at this point. Knowing market prices vs retail also allows you to get your pencils sharpened before buying expensive pieces. Sellers put crazy Insurance replacement values to there products on ebay and other auction sites , that are just absurd and unreal and really if anything it fools the buyer to think they are getting the product at liquidation prices, which is not ture. How does one know if he/she is getting a great deal? The best way to know if you are getting a great value for your money is by asking lots of questions, reading about there worth and rarity by there carat , color, cut, clarity , quality etc. Compare to other sellers and shop only with vendors who let you make an offer. When shopping online i would also consider taking a look at the sellers reputation, activity, counters to see there traffic, and feedbacks. I always do this before i shop online, and usually find it best to talk to them in person to see whom im dealing with. By calling and emailing vendors, i have found many dont even take the time to answer back via email, or an answering machine will say they are not there. Dont deal with these kind of people especially Online. Deal only with companies that attend the phones and answer quick to the emails with proper attention to your every question or queries.
Emerald Buying Tips
When choosing an emerald, the most important value factor to consider is color. The vivid green color of an emerald is so prized that visible inclusions are accepted in these gems in return for the incomparable color. As a general rule the more vivacious the green, the more valuable the emerald.
Since emeralds naturally occur with inclusions, you should make sure that fissures and inclusions do not go too deep into the stone such that it might be weakened enough to break if it were hit accidentally. When buying fine emeralds, make sure you look for the 4 c's , color, carat, clarity, clarity ,but most of all look the price. If you are shopping Online, make sure you buy from vendors that let you make offers, with a submit an offer form. This is a brilliant and sharp way for a buyer to get great deals and set there own fair market prices. Keep in mind , its very important to buy from sellers who offer gemstone Certificates from major labs, and not just made up lab reports from the backyard if you now what we mean. Ask lots of questions, do your due diligence carefully, compare prices and qualities from other vendors.
The Origin of Emerald
In the ancient times, emeralds were mined in Egypt, Austria and present-day Afghanistan. Later Colombia became one of the most popular sources of fine emeralds. These gems from Colombia are celebrated and prized for their shiny, vivid green color which is unadulterated by any blue tint. The famous Colombian mines Muzo and Chivor have been a popular source of emeralds since the pre-Columbian times, almost 5 centuries ago, when the Spanish explorers first arrived on the American continent. The rare Trapiche emeralds that have six rays emanating from the centre are also from Colombia.
Other origins of fine emeralds include Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia. The African nations Zambia, Zimbabwe and Brazil in particular have a good reputation for fine emeralds. The stones from Zambia are particularly famous for the beautiful, deep emerald green color with good transparency. The color of these gems is darker than the Colombian gems, and often has a fine, blue undertone. The stones from Zimbabwe have an intense green color with a delicate yellowish-green hue. The gems from Brazil are only next to the much celebrated Colombian greens. Brazil also mothers some rare emeralds such as emerald cat's eyes and the star emerald with a six spoke star.
Emerald Jewelry
Even for a skilled lapidist, cutting emeralds presents a special challenge, firstly because of the high value of the raw crystals, and secondly because of the frequent inclusions. However, this does not detract from the lapidists' love of this unique gem. In fact, they have developed a special cut just for this gem: the emerald cut. The clear design of this rectangular or square cut with its smoothened corners brings out the beauty of this valuable gemstone to the full, at the same time protecting it from mechanical strain or accidental impact.
Emerald gems are very often bezel set. Emeralds look great with diamonds or white sapphires as these add to the royal charm of the gem.
Treatment & Enhancement
The basic truth about emerald gems is that they are almost always treated. Emeralds typically have inclusions, there are also minute surface reaching breaks that are filled with natural 'oils' like Canada balsam or Cedar Wood oil to fill-up the breaks and enhance the look of the emerald gemstone by 'softening' the visibility of these natural flaws in emerald gems.
The fissures and inclusions that are characteristic of emerald are traditionally filled with oil to minimize their impact. You should avoid cleaning emerald with hot soapy water or steam and never clean an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner because this oil could be removed or damaged, damaging the beauty of the stone. Never use harsh detergents and or any cleaning solutions that contain petroleum distillates. Avoid soaking your emerald gems and jewelry in water for long, and only use something like an old soft toothbrush (without toothpaste). A warm moist cloth may also be used to clean emerald jewelry.
Emerald in History
One of the most beautiful women in history, Cleopatra, had a love affair with these precious gemstones - a testament to the allure of emeralds. Emeralds are the most precious and highly celebrated of gemstones. These gems come in many hues of green and bluish green, but emeralds are best known for their lush green color. The green color of this gemstone is so intensely vivid that an emerald is one of the few gemstones to have a color named after it - Emerald Green. Pliny the Elder, a writer from the ancient times eulogized the emerald in just 3 words that speak volumes, "Nothing greens greener", he wrote.
Emerald gets its name from the Greek word - "smarados" which is further derived from the French word "esmeralde", all of which essentially stand for the color green. One of the most ancient gemstones known to mankind, the emerald has been treasured for at least 4,000 years by different cultures the world over. The ancient scriptures of the Hindu Religion, the Vedas, eulogized these precious gems for their mental and physical healing properties. In Islamic religion, emeralds are sanctified. The Islamic texts talk of heaven's garden as carpeted with emeralds, and the famous 'Mogul Emerald' weighing in at a gargantuan 217.8 carats, has prayer texts inscribed on one side and floral engravings on the other. In ancient Egypt, mummies were buried with an emerald around their neck as an emblem of eternal youth. According to the Catholic Church, green is the most intrinsic of liturgical colors. Emeralds were highly cherished by royals of the ancient times, not only Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, but Shah Jahan, the emperor of the Mogul Empire, Emperor Jahangir of the Mogul Empire, and Empress Farah of Iran, to name a few.
In the ancient times, emeralds were believed to possess healing powers. The vivid green color of emerald epitomizes life, verdure and springtime, when life blooms. This lively color has also been associated with endurance and constancy in love. In the ancient Roman times, the color green was associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
Emerald is the birthstone for those born in May and the zodiac sign Taurus. Emerald is anniversary gift for the 20th and the 35th wedding anniversary.
Emerald jewelry is captivating.
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