Emeralds are from the mineral family beryl.  Other popular beryls include, the blue beryl (aquamarine), the red beryl (bixbite), the pink beryl (morganite), the yellow beryl (heliodor), and the colorless beryl (goshenite).  Of all of the beryls the emerald is the 2nd rarest, the only beryl that is both more valuable and more rare than an emerald is the red beryl (bixbite).  Contrary to what most people believe the emerald is not a weak gem, but instead ranks 7.5-8.0 on the MOH scale.  On this scale a diamond is a 10 and an opal is a 6.  Thus an emerald is in fact one of the strongest of gems.  Nevertheless, an emerald almost always is filled with inclusions due to the violent geologic conditions under which it formed.  These inclusions do not necessarily weaken the gem, but mostly just serve as a fingerprint to its authenticity and in certain instances even adds to the beauty of the overall gem.

The highest quality of emeralds have a young grass green or a bottle green color.  An almost pure spectral green is desired, as in the finest emeralds from Columbia.  Most connoisseurs consider emeralds mined from Columbia to be the best in the world.  Other sources of emeralds include Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and India.  If you have a fine colored specimen from Columbia than you have a real rarity in your hands.  Emeralds are normally valued at $1,000 - $20,000 per carat, whereas the bixbite is valued at $2,000 to $40,000 per carat.  Thus in top quality specimens both emeralds and bixbites are more valuable than diamonds!

The emerald was first discovered by the Egyptians around 3000 - 1500 BC near the Red Sea: This now depleted mine is called Cleopatra's Mine.  The Cleopatra Mine was fabled to exist but was never found until the early 19th century.  Even in the 19th century Cleopatra's Mine no longer produced fine specimens due to the heavy mining initiated by the Egyptian Pharoahs.  The pharoahs placed the best emeralds from this mine into their personal jewelry.  For emeralds were extremely valuable even at this time due to its beauty and its perceived holiness.

Two of the most famous emeralds include the Mogul Emerald and the Patricia Emerald.  The Mogul Emerald dates from 1695, is 217.80 Carats, and rises 10cm tall.  One side of this stunning emerald is inscribed with prayer texts, and the other side is filled with a lavish floral design.  The Mogul Emerald was auctioned at Christie's of London and sold to an unidentified buyer for $2.2 Million on September 28th, 2001.  The Patricia Emerald is one of the largest emeralds that has ever been found... it is a tremendous 632 carats and is currently at display in the New York Museum of National History.

When purchasing emeralds be careful to note that the seller mentions that the emerald is "Natural" or "Genuine."  This is especially true with emeralds since lab grown and synthetics are flooding the market.  Also ask what type of treatment has been performed on the emerald, as any treatment lowers the value of an emerald.  Techniques to enhace color and reduce the visibility of flaws that are commenly used include, filling surface-reaching cracks with oil (sometimes tinted green), epoxy resin fillers, and doublets.  If you have a 100% natural gem quality emerald then you have found a real rarity of considerable value... Pharoahs and Moguls of the past would be envious!

I hope this was an interesting and informative read!  -Eric Varma, from Ebay Store Estate Rings