Emerald gemstones have been admired for centuries for their deep green color and unmistakable character.
Unlike most gemstones, emeralds form under rare geological conditions, making them naturally scarce and often imperfect.
Because of this combination of beauty, rarity, and history, emeralds remain among the most valued gemstones in the world.
In this article, we explore the origin, rarity, processing, famous jewelry pieces, and price per carat of the emerald gemstone.
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Interesting Facts About Emeralds
Did you know that emeralds are actually bigger than a diamond holding the same carat weight?
With this, a 1-carat emerald takes more physical space than a 1-carat diamond.
However, despite taking up more physical space, emeralds are lighter and less dense than diamonds, and it takes a much larger emerald stone reach the same weight as a carat diamond01.
The oldest Emerald known to exist is from South Africa and formed around 2.97 billion years ago.
Where Emerald Comes From
Emeralds are called “geological miracles” because they form when beryllium (from Earth’s crust) meets vanadium or chromium (from Earth’s mantle).
These elements come from two different layers of the Earth.
These gemstones actually form due to violent hydrothermal activity or tectonic events02.
When these events occur, they allow the two elements (beryllium and vanadium/chromium) to meet despite their different locations.
These gemstones are commonly found in different parts of the world, such as Colombia, Brazil, and even Zambia03.
Colombia is known as the premier source of warm, pure green emerald stones04, while Brazil is known as the producer of various shades of emerald stones05.
On the other hand, Zambia is known as a powerhouse of emeralds as the country is associated with a cool-tone, bluish-green tint06.
Other countries, such as Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Russia, also produce emeralds07.
How Emeralds are Processed
The processing of rough emerald stones is considered a high-stakes “spa treatment.”
These are extracted by hand to prevent their brittle structures, thereby protecting them08.
After cleaning the extracted stones, a master cutter shapes a “pre-form” from the stone to determine the map’s best color, using an emerald cut to prevent chipping09.
Moreover, oiling is an important process, as nearly all emeralds have surface-reaching fractures.
Through oiling, the natural cedar oil seeps into the tiny cracks within a vacuum chamber.
This process allows tiny cracks to disappear, enhancing the stone’s clarity and color before polishing.
In the final polishing process, fine diamond dust smooths the surface for a brilliant luster10.
How Expensive and Rare Emeralds Are
A few reasons emerald gemstones are so expensive are their rarity and demand.
As we know, these gemstones are called “geological miracles,” and they form when two elements (beryllium and chromium (vanadium) combine, which are from different layers of the Earth.
Violent tectonic events are needed for emeralds to form, which heightens their scarcity11.
In fact, emeralds are 20 times rarer than diamonds.
Moreover, the color is also a factor in its expensiveness.
The more intense and clear the gemstone is, the more expensive it is.
For example, rare “eye-clean” stones, which require no oiling, are considerably more valuable than those with visible inclusions.
Even if they are found in different parts of the world, emerald deposits are limited to certain locations.
Famous Jewelry Made from Emerald Gemstones
Here are some most famous emerald pieces.
The Chalk Emerald
It is one of the finest Colombian Emeralds in existence, and it’s a 37.82-carat Smithsonian treasure known for its deep green color.
It also holds a former royal Indian heritage12.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Bulgari Suite
This is one of the most famous private emerald collections and a gift to actress Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton during the filming of Cleopatra.
It features a combination of 16 Colombian emerald specimens13.
Emerald’s Market Value (Price per Carat)
The price per carat for emeralds varies based on quality.
For example, commercial-grade emerald stones range from $250 to $1,500 per carat14, but fine-quality emerald gemstones range from $5,000 to $15,000 per carat15.
Meanwhile, the “no-oil” Colombian emeralds are the most expensive, with prices ranging from $30,000 per carat16.
