Real Gems · Emeralds
Discover individual stones, beautifully matched pairs and considered layouts. Explore emeralds through color, character and the details that make each selection distinctive.
Explore the collection The science of emeralds
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The emerald, examined
Emerald is the green to bluish green variety of beryl. Its beauty begins with a crystalline structure, trace elements and the geological conditions in which it grows.
Beryllium aluminium silicate
Chromium and vanadium are key coloring elements. Iron also influences the observed color. Small variations in chemistry help create emerald’s range of green hues.
Emerald deposits form in several geological settings. Hydrothermal fluids and reactions with surrounding rocks are important in bringing the necessary elements together. Colombian shale-hosted deposits differ from many deposits associated with pegmatites and schists.
Inclusions can record a crystal’s growth history. Hardness describes scratch resistance, not resistance to breaking. Fractures and clarity enhancement make careful handling and gentle cleaning important.
Scientific reading: GIA Gem Encyclopedia; GIA Quality Factors; Giuliani & Groat, Gems & Gemology (2019); GIA Care Guide.
Research, thoughtfully considered
Perspectives on choosing, understanding and caring for emeralds.
Emerald education
For evening, an emerald can be the organizing detail of the entire look. We like beginning with one decision: will the green sit beside...
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Once an earring design appeals, it is tempting to focus on the mounting and leave the pair selection until later. Reversing that order can...
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With a carved emerald, the gemstone already carries much of the design. Instead of beginning with a symmetrical mounting and filling its center, the...
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