The Emerald Gemstone : The Healer's Stone

When judging an emerald's value, its color is of paramount importance. The more vivid the green, the more valuable the stone. There are also attractive lighter green emeralds that are lively and vivid when set in jewelry and darker green gems that make up in rich green color what they lose in brightness. Generally speaking, however, very light or dark emeralds are less expensive. Unlike a diamond, a finely colored emerald is not significantly devalued by inclusions.

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The fewer fissures, the more expensive the emerald. Cut natural emeralds of top quality weighing more than two carats are extremely rare and costly. A large deep green emerald with minor blue or yellow secondary coloration that is relatively free of inclusions may cost tens of thousands per dollars per carat.

Perfect natural gems--in color and appearance--are very rare and expensive. As part of the normal fashioning process, most emeralds are immersed in clear oil or resin to minimize the appearance of small fissures. In addition to oil and wax fillers, the trade also uses clear resins to penetrate open fissures surfacing in the gemstone. Hardeners are often added to solidify these liquids to prevent the resin from evaporating, thus making the enhancement more permanent than just oiling or waxing the gem. Be sure to buy from a reputable dealer who will provide, in writing, the processes and treatment that your emerald has received.

Because emeralds are brittle, and can split along their inclusions if exposed to sharp impact, properly designed jewelry should minimize the gem's exposure.

Emeralds are the birthstone for those born in May

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Emerald is considered both the Modern and Traditional birthstone for May. It is also known as a birthstone for the Zodiac signs for Taurus and Cancer. Emerald is the only stone, other than the Topaz, which is listed as in all of the ancient birthstone tables. This emerald is also suggested as an anniversary gift for both the 20th and 35th anniversaries and can be used as an alternate stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.

Emeralds are mined from "host rocks." They have been found in many countries around the world, but those from Columbia are at the top of the list with jewelers and gemologists. Some of the best locations of Columbian mines are in Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor. Columbian emeralds are especially fine with a very shining emerald green which has very little bluish tint.

Emeralds have many metaphysical properties associated with them. They are said to improve intellect and memory and to help with tired eyes and insomnia. They supposedly give wearers the power to see into the future and are associated with greatness in business. They act as emotional stabilizers and help to release emotional trauma and help to govern perception of other's emotions. They are thought to be associated with the heart chakra and open the heart up to love, healing and peace.

info credit:
http://www.myjewelz.com/emerald.asp
http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/birthstones.htm
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Emerald - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8
Etymology - Properties determining value - Emerald localities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald

Emeralds.com - All About Emeralds
Emerald Auctions. em•er•ald (em′ ∂r ∂ld em′r∂ld), n 1. a rare variety of the mineral beryl that is green ... How to Buy Emeralds and Emerald Jewelry
http://www.emeralds.com/

Emerald - english
Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green.
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/emerald.html

Colombian Emeralds | Loose Emeralds | Emerald Jewelry
Emerald dealer of high quality, loose emeralds and emerald jewelry from Colombian emerald mines. We carry beautiful emerald gemstones in a variety of shapes
http://www.embassyemeralds.com/

The gemstone emerald
Emerald, the green variety of the mineral beryl, is the most famous and favored green gemstone. Its beautiful green color, combined with durability and ...
http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/gemstone/emerald/emerald.htm