Judging quality
Nearly all emeralds contain inclusions, poetically called the jardin; clarity expectations are lower than for other gems. Most are oiled or resin-filled, which must be disclosed. Color, not clarity, drives value.
Beryl
Emerald
Chromium- or vanadium-colored green beryl and one of the four classical precious stones. Colombian material from Muzo and Chivor is the historical benchmark.
Care
Brittle with internal fractures. Never ultrasonic clean; wipe with a soft damp cloth to protect fillers.
History & lore
Cleopatra's mines in Egypt's Eastern Desert were producing emerald by 300 BCE, centuries before the Colombian deposits reached Europe.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Emerald
- What is Emerald?
- Chromium- or vanadium-colored green beryl and one of the four classical precious stones. Colombian material from Muzo and Chivor is the historical benchmark.
- How hard is Emerald and what is it made of?
- Emerald is a Beryl-family mineral with the composition Be3Al2Si6O18. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system and rates 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in green.
- Where does Emerald come from?
- Notable localities for Emerald include Colombia (Muzo, Chivor), Zambia, Brazil, Afghanistan.
- How do you tell good Emerald from filler?
- Nearly all emeralds contain inclusions, poetically called the jardin; clarity expectations are lower than for other gems. Most are oiled or resin-filled, which must be disclosed. Color, not clarity, drives value.
- How do you care for Emerald?
- Brittle with internal fractures. Never ultrasonic clean; wipe with a soft damp cloth to protect fillers.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.