Emerald mines can be traced back to 3500 BC in Egypt, owned by Cleopatra, who was known to have a deep passion for these gems. Incredibly the oldest emerald on record is 2.97 billion years. It is not surprising then that emeralds are associated with royalty and romance and so much intrigue.

Today, the top three locations in the world for emeralds are Zambia, Colombia and Brazil. Each location produces emeralds of a slightly different shade, from the warm and intense green colour of Colombian emeralds to the cooler, bluish green gems of Zambia.

Emerald has many special qualities, but coloured stone professionals generally agree that emeralds are, most of all, about colour. Emerald has been the standard for green among coloured stones for thousands of years.

The most desirable emerald colours are bluish green to pure green, with vivid colour saturation and tone that is not too dark. The most-prized emeralds are highly transparent.

Emerald inclusions are often described as looking mossy or garden-like. They’re sometimes called “jardin” which is French for garden. The rich green colour of emeralds is the colour of spring.

In 1900, German Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck commissioned this fabulous emerald and diamond tiara for his second wife Katherine. The exquisite, not to mention costly piece, features 11 pear-shaped polished emeralds totaling 500 carats as well as countless colourless diamonds. It is no surprise that this tiara managed to sell for nearly $13 million. (From www.leibish.com)

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