Emeralds are the green variety of the mineral beryl, whose more-common blue counterparts are known as aquamarines. Frequently flawed and riddled with inclusions, emeralds are somewhat brittle gemstones, and they are not as hard as rubies and sapphires, let alone diamonds. For these reasons and others, finished emeralds are often given an emerald cut, which describes a step-cut of parallel facets that wrap around the crown (top) and pavilion (bottom) of the stone. In fact, in an emerald cut, the gem’s corners are even removed to keep them from chipping away later.

Words like cloudy, sleepy, and soft are often used to describe an emerald’s brilliance. In fact, from a monetary standpoint, emeralds are judged less on their clarity than their color. Unlike sapphires and rubies, emeralds cannot be heat treated to bring out their color, but the stones are routinely oiled to fill cracks and mask flaws, which has a similar effect.

The oiling of emeralds dates to the time of the ancient Greeks, so it's hardly a new practice. More controversial is a newer technique in which a polymer or resin, with a refract...

While the first emerald mine is often said to have belonged to Cleopatra, emeralds in Egypt actually go back to the beginning of Ptolemaic period, about 300 BC. Emeralds were actively mined there until about 1500, when demand ebbed after Spanish conquistadors appropriated the high-grade beryl mines that were tended by native South Americans in what is now Columbia. Today, mines in Muzo and Chivor, Columbia, continue to be leading sources of pure-green emeralds, although the industrial methods used to extract the stones is thought to do needless damage to the emeralds themselves.

Brazilian emeralds are lighter in color than those of Columbia; Zambian emeralds are a deep green. Pakistan is another traditional source of emeralds, as is Afghanistan. More recently, emeralds have been mined in North Carolina, by professionals and tourists alike.

Because high-quality emeralds are so rare, some of the world’s most treasured pieces of fine jewelery have been fashioned from these stones. Hollywood royalty from Merle Oberon to Ava Gardner wore emeralds, usually accented and surrounded by countless diamonds. Actual royalty also favored the stones—Harry Winston and Cartier practically tripped over themselves in their quest to make the most beautiful emerald necklaces, bracelets, and brooches for the Duchess of Windsor.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

All About Jewels Dictionary

All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]

Jewel History

Jewel History

Since March of 2007, readers of Lori Ettlinger Gross’s JewelHistory blog have been treated to her weekly (sometim… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Fine Jewelry

Other Great Reference Sites: Fine Jewelry

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 107 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
14k Gold Aaa 5.74ct Heart Vs Emerald 4.09ct Vs Diamond Ring 9.2 Gms Gia: $68,795Vintage 39.28ct Diamond Sapphire Ruby Emerald 18k Gold Peacock Large Pin NrEstate Earrings 6.ct Real Natural Green Emerald And Diamond 14k Solid White GoldReal Natural Green Emerald And Diamonds 14k Solid White Gold Engagement Ring EhsColombian Emerald Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold Estate Round Cut NaturalVintage 14kt Gold Diamond Emerald Engagement Ring Anniversary Band 1.72cts.2.48ct Diamond Sapphire Ruby Emerald 18k Gold Bracelet 15.8 Grams Nr2.48ct Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald 18k Gold Pendant Necklace 29.4 Grams NrVintage 70's Gold Emerald Cut Blue Topaz & Black Diamond RingVintage 1.26ctw Colorless Emerald Diamond 18k Gold Engagement Wedding RingEstate Round Natural Green Emerald And Diamond 14k Solid White Gold EarringsStunning Art Deco Emerald And Diamond 18ct Gold RingFine 18k Gold Cartier Design Emerald,sapphire & 1.5ct Diamond Leopard BroochVintage 7.05 Ct Diamond Green Emerald 18k Gold Cluster Ring 10.1 Grams NrVintage European 2.80 Cts Emerald & Diamonds Ring $ 15000 Usd Retail PriceWomens Art Deco Platinum 2.25ctw F -vs Diamond And Emerald Estate Ring$5135! Igi Cert 1.30ctw .70ct Ctr Vs2 H Diamond & Emerald 14k Y Gold Ring 4.5gStunning Art Deco 3/4 Carat Emerald & Diamond Platinum RingAntique 18ct Gold 1920s Emerald & Diamond Ring Size P1920's Vintage Art Deco Emerald & Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Ring 2795.00 Edwardian 14k Rose Gold .36ctw Gem Emerald & Old Cut F-vs2 Diamond Ring 5.3gAntique 4ct Natural Colombian Emerald Solitaire 14k Yellow Gold Ring 4g Vtg 14k Yellow Gold Cat / Fox Pin Brooch Excellent Emerald Winking Eye 8.5 GramsVintage 14k Yellow Gold Rope Necklace W/ Emerald & Diamond Flowers$3999 Edwardian 10k Yellow Gold 5.09ct Muzo Emerald & Mine Cut Diamond Ring 4.4g14 K White Gold Diamond & Emerald Ring. ( Dia 0.50 ) NrAntique 1920's Art Deco Emerald Cut Ruby & Two Diamond 10k Solid Gold Men's RingColombian Emerald & Round Diamond Fine Pendant 14 Kt White Gold Estate Natural11.25 Carat Colombian Emerald Cocktail Vintage Ring 10k Solid Yellow GoldPair 2 Antique Victorian 14k Gold Emerald+ruby Insect Fly Bee Lapel Collar Pins4.34ctw Natural Green Cabochon Emerald Diamond Estate Ring Tear Drop Pear 14k Nr$7,000 Vintage 10k Yellow Gold 7.20ctw Colombian Emerald & Old Cut Diamond RingVictorian 14k Gold/sterling 1.72ctw Genuine Rose Cut Diamond & Emerald Ring 3.5gEstate 6.41ct Diamond Emerald 18k Gold Cross Pendant 8.5 Grams Nr14k Gold Emerald And Diamond RingFine Vintage Pair Of Emerald And Diamond Gold Cluster Earrings And PendantStunning Art Deco Emerald And Diamond Gold Cluster RingEstate 1.40ct Emerald 18k Gold Stud Earrings NrEstate Fine Cultured Pearl Emerald Ring 18 Kt Gold Brushed Art Deco Not Scrap6.5ct 18x10mm 100% Natural Colombian Green Emerald Qmd154Fine Art Deco French Emerald And White Sapphire 18ct Gold 3 Stone RingEstate Diamond Emerald Ruby Mobe Pearl 14k Gold Slide Pendant Nr1.6ct 10x7mm 100% Natural Colombian Green Emerald Qmd61Fine Art Deco 1/2 Carat Emerald & 1/2 Carat Diamond Three Stone Platinum RingExceptional Antique Emerald & Diamond Flower Drop Pendant Earrings Screw Post11.85 Carat Colombian Emerald Cocktail Vintage Ring 10k Solid Yellow GoldFine Vintage Emerald And Diamond 18ct Gold Cluster RingAntique 14k White Gold Filigree Emerald Cutamethyst Ring Art Deco 1920's Rare Exceptional Fine Quality Antique C1906 18ct Gold Diamond & Emerald RingEstate Emerald Cut Blue Topaz Solitaire In Solid 14 Kt Yellow Gold!Natural Round Cut White Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Ring Solid 14k GoldArt Deco .50ctw Colombian Emerald Platinum Filigree Engagement Ring 3gNatural Emerald Ruby White Round Cut Diamond Ring Sapphire Solid 14k Gold EstateStunning Art Deco 60 Point Diamond & Emerald,18k Gold Cluster RingVintage Yellow 14k Gold 2.00ctw Genuine Emerald & F-vs Diamond Ring 3g Size 5.7511.10 Carat Colombian Emerald Cocktail Vintage Ring 10k Solid Yellow GoldArt Deco 15.50ctw Ruby Emerald & White Sapphire 925/rose Gold Cuff Bracelet 50gAntique 14k White Gold Filigree Emerald Cut Vaseline Green Ring Art Deco 1920's Emerald Ring High End Fine Estate 2.75 Ct Vintage Jewelry $500 Sz 6.5Stunning Vintage Emerald & 1/4 Carat Diamond 18ct Gold Ring