Emerald and diamond ring

Admired and desired for their rich colour, emeralds are a slightly bluish green variety of the mineral beryl. When chromium, vanadium and iron are present in beryl, emeralds form; the degree to which each element is present determines the specific shade of green. – chromium and vanadium lead to an intense green, while iron produces a blue tint. If the stone’s hue is too yellow or blue, or simply not rich enough in saturation, it is not an emerald but rather a variety of beryl, which makes highly transparent and vividly saturated green emeralds extremely valuable.

Colombia is the world’s premier source for emeralds, specifically the mining areas of Muzo and Chivor. Active mining first began in the 16^th century and the region has supplied emeralds for resplendent jewels for centuries. In recent years, a greater emphasis has been placed on clarity, a quality that emeralds, with their jardins of inclusions, rarely achieve. The jewels offered here as lots 656 - 659 are therefore remarkable not only for their significant size and richness of color, but also for their fine transparency. Of particular note is the inventively designed necklace (lot 659). Designed with supple lines of perfectly-matched, highly crystalline emeralds alternating with impressive step-cut diamonds, it is a modern masterpiece of the jeweller’s art.