What Color Is Emerald Green?
Emerald green is an intense, lively shade of green. The emerald green hex code is #50C878.
Like all greens, emerald green is formed by blending blue and yellow colors. There’s no specific ratio for how high of each color to apply, but the extra blue you add, the blacker the hue will be.
The emerald green is the birthstone for May and the jewel appointed to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary.
Emerald Stones
The stone is a representative of the beryl family, which includes last month’s birthstone aquamarine. The emerald owes its lush green color to trace amounts of chromium.
Unlike the diamond, for which top value hinges on near-flawless clarity, the stone, known as the jewel of spring, is not downgraded as much for its inclusions and veils, which are tiny fractures.
The French call the markings the “Jardín,” or garden, because they resemble foliage. Transparent emeralds are rare and can be valued more than diamonds.
Early Egyptians first mined emeralds. Cleopatra coveted her emeralds more than other gems. The emerald mines of the queen were discovered about a century ago near the Red Sea.
Romans also cherished the emerald. Pliny — a Roman nobleman, scientist, and historian, — said it was the only stone that pleased the eye without tiring it. Pliny said his eyes became restored when he gazed into an emerald.
The Moguls of India, including Taj Mahal builder Shah Jahan, inscribed emeralds with sacred text and wore them as talismans.
The 16th century became a pivotal time for the emerald. Spanish conquistadors invaded what is now Colombia and saw natives wearing emeralds.
They searched the mines controlled by the Muzo Indians. The Spaniards mounted large-scale assaults against the Muzo people to seize the mines in the mountainous region north of Bogota and killed thousands of natives.
Emerald Stone In Folklore
Besides being steeped in rich history, the emerald is also the subject of much folklore. It is said to boost intelligence, quicken the heart and give eloquence. Ancients believed the stone gave wearers the gift of foresight. It also symbolizes fertility, beauty, and happiness.
Legend has it that Satan lost the emerald from his crown when he fell from grace. The emerald was shaped into a bowl, which the Queen of Sheba sent to Nicodemus.
Jesus Christ used the bowl at the Last Supper, and Joseph of Arimathea used it to catch Christ’s blood during the Crucifixion.
Source Of Emerald Stones
Today, most emeralds are mined in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia are secondary producers.
Value is determined by color and size. Emeralds with a blue tint are worth more than those with a hint of yellow.
As for price, a commercial-grade, 1-carat stone can be $30-$525, while an extra-fine stone can fetch close to $10,000.
How To Care For Emerald Stones
To make the emeralds more pleasing to the eye, surface cracks can be filled with oils to make them less noticeable.
Epoxies and resin are also used as fillers. A reputable dealer should inform buyers about treated stones.
To care for emeralds, rub them with a soapy cloth, rinse with cool water and dry with a lint-free cloth. Window cleaners also can spruce them up.
