-
Home /
Education Gemstone /
emerald
Featured Gem EMERALD
It’s no surprise, given the emerald’s lush green hue, that it has often been associated with nature, springtime, and renewal. This makes it the perfect birthstone for May, a time of blooming beauty and new life. It is the most valuable gemstone in the beryl family.
BIRTHSTONE: MAY
overview
It is the degree of the green that will make one gemstone declared emerald and another beryl. The gemologists don’t always agree on the grade. Generally, if the green it too light in color then it is classified as beryl. But, what is too light of a green is a matter of opinion.
2.97 billion years
The oldest of the South African emeralds are estimated at 2.97 billion years old.
$6,578,500
The record breaking price paid in 2011 for an emerald and diamond pendant owned by Elizabeth Taylor.
Cleopatra
Pharaoh known for her passion for emeralds.
QUALITY FACTORS
The darker the emerald the more valuable it is, among other factors.
color
The deeper the green or bluish green of the emerald the more value is placed on the emerald.
clarity
Like diamonds, emeralds tend to contains inclusions. These are referred to as jardin.
cut
The most common cut for an emerald is the long, rectangular emerald cut.
carat weight
An emerald will appear larger than a diamond with the same carat weight due to its density.