Emeralds are one of the most treasured gemstones in human history, prized for their deep, vivid green color. A member of the beryl family, emeralds get their distinctive color from trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Along with rubies and sapphires, emeralds are considered the "Big Three" of precious colored gemstones.
Explore Emeralds
History & Lore
Emeralds have been mined for nearly 4,000 years. The earliest known emerald mines were located in Egypt, and Cleopatra was famously passionate about emeralds — using them in her royal adornments and gifting them to dignitaries. The ancient Incas and Aztecs of South America also revered emeralds as sacred stones long before Spanish conquistadors discovered Colombia's extraordinary deposits in the 16th century.
Throughout history, emeralds have symbolized rebirth, fertility, and eternal youth. They were believed to have healing properties and the power to reveal the truth. Today they remain one of the most recognizable and beloved of all gemstones.
Where Emeralds Come From
Colombia is the world's most important source of emeralds, producing stones of unrivaled color saturation and quality. The Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez mines in Colombia have supplied the finest emeralds for centuries. Zambia is the second most significant source, producing emeralds with excellent clarity and a slightly more bluish-green hue. Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan are also notable producers.
The Most Desirable Color
For emeralds, color is the single most important quality factor. The most desirable emeralds display a vivid, pure green — often described as "emerald green." A slight bluish-green is acceptable and sometimes preferred, while yellowish-green is considered less valuable. The color should be evenly distributed and as saturated as possible without appearing too dark.
Understanding Emerald Inclusions ("Jardin")
Unlike diamonds, where clarity is a primary quality factor, emeralds are almost universally included. In fact, inclusions in emeralds are so expected that the French word jardin (garden) is used to describe them — the inclusions create a garden-like pattern within the stone. Eye-clean emeralds are extremely rare and command a dramatic premium. Most valuable emeralds will have visible inclusions, and these do not significantly detract from the stone's value as long as the brilliance and beauty are maintained.
Nearly all emeralds are treated with oil or resin to fill surface-reaching fractures and improve clarity. This is a widely accepted and standard practice in the emerald trade. At Grissom's, we disclose all treatments and only work with reputable suppliers who maintain transparency about their gemstones.
How to Evaluate an Emerald
When evaluating emeralds, consider these factors in roughly this order of importance:
- Color — Vivid, pure green with good saturation and even distribution.
- Clarity — Eye-clean or nearly eye-clean stones are rare and extremely valuable. Minor inclusions that don't affect brilliance are expected and acceptable.
- Cut — The classic emerald cut (rectangular step cut) was actually developed specifically for emeralds to minimize stress on the stone during cutting and showcase the color. A well-proportioned cut maximizes the stone's color and brilliance.
- Carat Weight — Fine emeralds above 1 carat of top color and clarity are extremely rare and valuable.
Ready to explore our emerald selection? Stop by our Fort Worth showroom or contact us — we'd love to help you find the perfect emerald piece.