Why Are Emeralds From Colombia So Special?

While all emeralds can be considered beautiful, some are considerably more beautiful than others. Depending on where they are mined, emeralds will have very distinct traits. Colombian emeralds are heralded as the finest in the world because their colour is quite simply unique. The greens they produce are the richest and most vibrant of any emeralds, making them utterly irresistible to whoever lays eyes on them. The intense, deep colours are formed because of the specific mineralogical conditions in which these emeralds are created.

Emeralds are made from the mineral beryl although it is the impurities within, particularly chromium, which gives them their green hue. Unlike diamonds, it is accepted that most emeralds will come with flaws and those from Colombian frequently have many inclusions. It is the colour however that is most important when it comes to emeralds and is responsible for roughly 60 percent of the value of the stone. Find a flawless Colombian emerald and the value can be astronomical. In fact, the finest emeralds can be more valuable than diamonds, fetching more than $10,000 per carat weight.

In some ways though, the inclusions within an emerald are deemed to be part of their attraction. Known as its' 'garden', they can add character and individuality and only become negative if the flaws impacts the integrity of the stone or interferes with the emeralds ability to reflect and refract light. Emeralds from certain regions are often seen to have similar flaws and to the trained observer this can often prove authenticity.

It is generally accepted that most emeralds, including Colombian emeralds, will have been treated in some way before they are used in jewelry and this does not lessen their value. Approximately just 5 percent of emeralds are of a quality so exceptional they do not need treatment and these would therefore be out of the budget of most individuals. As they frequently have fissures or cracks that could effect the way in which they throw off light it is in effect beneficial for them to have treatment, such as resins which have the same characteristics as the emerald itself. Coating the outside of the emerald in oil which changes the external colour however is considered unethical.

This treatment of emeralds means that cleaning them using ultrasonic jewelry cleaners or harsh abrasive cleaning products should be avoided as this can result in the corrected flaws becoming exposed. The best way to clean emerald jewellery is by simply soaking it in very mild, diluted soapy water and then wiping it with a soft cloth. Provided they are looked after with care like this, Colombian emeralds have the ability to take heads for a lifetime.

Michelle Elkins regularly writes for The Diamond Store, an online jewelry retailer which specializes in diamond engagement rings and diamond eternity rings, as well as ruby, sapphire and emerald jewelry at prices up to 60 percent below high street equivalents.