Emerald Gemstone Guide

Q: Where is the name Emerald derived from?

The name Emerald is derived from French 'Esmeralda” meaning simply 'green gemstone'.

An Emerald is a prestigious beryl masterpiece that has served as the ultimate global symbol of luxury and deep natural beauty for millennia. At Tivon, we select only the top 5% of loose gemstones to ensure every selection boasts an exceptional intensity of colour alongside maximum internal life and fire. Derived from the historic French word simply meaning green gemstone, this delicate and highly sought-after gem carries a beautiful jungle of fine natural inclusions that serve as an absolute hallmark of its organic pedigree.

Read below to discover the unique Colombian geography, legendary auction pieces and essential cleaning procedures for this magnificent beryl variety in our comprehensive Emerald Gemstone Guide. Alternatively, explore our Emerald jewellery collection to discover our breathtaking statement pieces, including luxury Emerald rings, exquisite Emerald earrings and stunning Emerald pendants, each designed to stand as a personal family legacy.

Life, nature & good luck

About Emerald

What colour is Emerald?

Emerald is green, the colour of life, nature and opulence.

Where is the name Emerald derived from?

The name Emerald is derived from French "Esmeralda” meaning simply "green gemstone".

What is the symbolism of Emerald?

Emerald is said to bring good luck, spiritual and physical well-being.

What gemstone family does Emerald belong to?

Emerald belongs to the Beryl family of gemstones.

What anniversary does Emerald represent?

Emerald represents the 55th wedding anniversary.

Is Emerald a birthstone?

Yes, Emerald is the birthstone of May.

Is Emerald an investment-grade gemstone?

Yes, top-tier Emeralds, especially those showing deep saturation with minimal clarity enhancements, are premier blue-chip assets in the luxury gemstone market. Due to the extreme geological volatility of mining them, fine specimens command immense premium values. Please note - like all investments, values fluctuate with market conditions.

What is the hardness of Emerald?

Emerald is 6.0 on Moh’s Scale and therefore considered asoft and brittle structure.

Where is Emerald geographically located?

The finest Emeralds come from Colombia, Zambia, Brazil and Zimbabwe (Sandawana).

Are there any interesting facts regarding Emerald?

The Mogul Emerald (circa 1695) weighs 217.80 carats, approximately 10cm high and was auctioned off at Christie’s of London for US$2.2 million.

Does Emerald have any inclusions?

Fine inclusions do not diminish the value. An Emerald of deep, vivid green with inclusions will be valued higher than an inclusion-free stone of paler colour and is considered an identifying characteristic of a naturally grown Emerald.

What is the cleaning procedure for Emerald?

Emeralds must not be cleaned ultrasonically. Do not clean Emeralds in a steam cleaner and do not scrub.

What are the value factors of Emerald?

The value factors of Emerald are its rarity, intensity of colour, brilliance and the "life" of the stone as well as the size.

The Beryl Family Spectrum

Emerald belongs to the prestigious and incredibly resilient Beryl mineral family, sharing a magnificent crystal lineage that produces some of the world's most coveted treasures. Expand your gemological knowledge and discover how this singular structural DNA expresses a breathtaking array of natural color.

Aquamarine: Discover the serene, ocean-blue brilliance of its maritime cousin in our Aquamarine Gemstone Guide.
Golden Beryl-Heliodor: Learn about the radiant, sun-kissed warmth of an elite golden treasure in our Golden Beryl-Heliodor Gemstone Guide.
Morganite: Explore the delicate, blush-pink romanticism of its sister crystal in our Morganite Gemstone Guide.

The Investment Gemstone Set

Renowned globally for their extraordinary market stability, historical prestige and enduring liquidity, Emerald is one of a group of elite gems that represent the pinnacle of fine jewellery portfolio building. Discover the distinctive histories, geological origins and market profiles of other investment-grade gemstones:

Natural Coloured Diamonds: Uncover the absolute pinnacle of natural diamond rarity and saturated color in our Natural Coloured Diamonds Gemstone Guide.
Ruby: Uncover the fierce crimson passion and extreme scarcity of the corundum family’s crown jewel in our Ruby Gemstone Guide.
Sapphire: Discover the timeless oceanic prestige and ultra-resilient strength of royal blue corundum in our Sapphire Gemstone Guide.
Tanzanite: Learn about the thousand-fold rarity and vibrant trichroic brilliance of Africa’s single-source treasure in our Tanzanite Gemstone Guide.