Emeralds

For thousands of years, emeralds have been mined and considered one of the world's most valuable jewels. The first ever recorded emeralds date back to ancient Egypt, where they were particularly admired by Queen Cleopatra. In addition to their aesthetic value, emeralds were highly valued in ancient times because they were believed to increase intelligence, protect marriages, ease childbirth, and thought to enable its possessor the power of predicting future events. 

 

An emerald is actually a beryllium stone that owes its special color to beryllium, chromium, and vanadium, all of which are chemical elements that are very scarce, and the reason for the color of an emerald. 

  

Colombian emeralds are much more on demand, and not just because of their superb quality and color. A gem's value depends upon its size, purity, color and brilliance. Even when they are mined in the same area, each individual emerald has its own unique look that sets it apart from the rest. Dark green is considered to be the most beautiful, scarce, and valuable color for emeralds. An emerald of this color is considered rare and is only found in the deepest mines of Colombia.

 

The eastern portion of the Andes, between  the Boyacá and Cundinamarca departments, is where most Colombian emeralds are mined. The three major mines in Colombia are Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor. Muzo and Coscuez are on long-term leases from the government to two Colombian companies, while Chivor is a privately owned mine. Muzo remains the most important emerald mine in the world to this date.

 

One of the most famous Colombian's emeralds are:

 

Patricia Emerald – this 630-carat, Di-hexagonal cut was first discovered in Chivor in 1920. It is named after the mine owner's daughter, Patricia. This emerald currently resides in the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

 

Patricia Emerald

 

Fura Emerald - the second-biggest emerald in the world, with 2.2 kilograms (4.9 lb) or 11,000 carat, found in Muzo, in 1999

 

Fura Emerald

 

 

 

Tena Emerald - the most valuable emerald in the world, 400 grams (0.88 lb) or 2,000 carats, found in Muzo, in 1999

 

Tena Emerald

Come to visit us at Jewel Envy with the gorgeous one you have in your magic box; grandma will be very proud to know you are going to enhance it! we can make an incredible design, we can resize it, we can clean it and more, and you will add even more great memories to it!

 

Have a nice Sunday!

 

 

Helena