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.
For more interesting fun facts about the emerald gemstone, visit here.
Interesting Facts About Emeralds
Emeralds are actually larger than a diamond when you hold them at the same carat weight.
This is because a 1-carat emerald gemstone takes more physical space than a 1-carat diamond.
However, even if this precious stone takes more physical space, it is lighter and less dense than a diamond.
Therefore, it takes a much larger emerald stone to reach the same weight as a carat diamond01.
And you know what?
The oldest Emerald known to exist is from South Africa and formed around 2.97 billion years ago02.
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 events03.
When these events occur, they allow the two elements, the beryllium and vanadium/chromium, to meet despite their different locations.
Moreover, these gemstones are commonly found in different parts of the world, such as Colombia, Brazil, and even Zambia04.
Colombia is known as the premier source of warm, pure green emerald stones05, while Brazil is known as the producer of various shades of emerald stones06.
On the other hand, Zambia is known as a powerhouse of emeralds as the country is associated with a cool-tone, bluish-green tint07.
Other countries, such as Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Russia, also produce emeralds08.
How Emeralds are Processed
The processing of rough emerald stones is considered a high-stakes “spa treatment.”
It means that these emerald stones are extracted by hand to prevent their brittle structures, thereby protecting them09.
When these emerald stones are clean and extracted, a master cutter shapes a “pre-form” from the stone.
This process is done to determine the map’s best color, using an emerald cut to avoid chipping, fracturing, or breaking10.
Moreover, oiling is another important process, as nearly all emeralds have surface-reaching fractures.
Due to 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 luster11.
How Expensive and Rare Emeralds Are
There are several reasons why these gemstones are expensive.
However, a few reasons they are so expensive are their rarity and demand.
As we know, these gemstones are called “geological miracles.”
They form when two elements, beryllium and chromium (vanadium), combine, which are from different layers of the Earth.
Before it forms, a violent tectonic event is needed, which heightens their scarcity12.
In fact, according to the Jewelbox site, emeralds are indeed 20 times rarer than diamonds13.
Moreover, another factor that affects its rarity and expense is the color.
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 of the 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 heritage14.
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 rectangular-cut and square-cut Colombian emerald15.
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 carat16, 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 carat17.
