Emeralds: Discover all their secrets !
Like diamonds, sapphires and rubies, emeralds sit majestically in the pantheon of precious stones. This May jewel, symbol of renewal, love and wisdom, fascinates with its enigmatic beauty. Often associated with the iconic Cleopatra, emerald conjures up a story of opulence and power. Some historians even claim that the Egyptian queen didn't hesitate to seize Greek-owned mines in Upper Egypt to adorn her finery.
An elegant cut
Of the same name, the emerald cut, rectangle-shaped with beveled projections, magnifies this stone with timeless elegance. This cut reveals the emerald's vibrant green color, while allowing its natural brilliance to shine through. Each facet becomes a tribute to the unique beauty of this mineral.
The Emerald Garden
A member of the beryl family, emerald is distinguished by its fragility. With a rating of 7.5 on the Mohs* scale (compared with 10/10 for a diamond), it is the softest gemstone, making it delicate to work with. Setters, often nervous about working with this gem, must navigate carefully to avoid breaking it and causing it to lose its brilliance. Even jewellers sometimes refuse to repair emerald-set jewelry for fear of damaging it. More sensitive to shocks, emeralds are particularly prone to inclusions, which are nothing more than “imperfections” formed within the crystal (air bubbles, cracks or crystals of other minerals). These are formed during the stone's crystallization process, as a result of the presence of other minerals, fluids or gases in the environment in which the emerald is formed. Inclusions, often perceived as flaws, are in fact witnesses to the stone's journey, and can be particularly appreciated and sought-after for their aesthetics and value. These “emerald gardens” - patterns reminiscent of pastoral landscapes - add a touch of uniqueness to each stone, transforming each piece of jewelry into a singular work of art.
*Mohs scale: scale used to measure the hardness of minerals.
An emerald-cut emerald with inclusions.
When culture gets involved
At AGUAdeORO, beauty and conscience go hand in hand. By choosing cultured emeralds, stones created in the laboratory, you opt for dazzling aesthetics while respecting ethical values. Although often purer and more evenly colored than their mined counterparts, cultured emeralds also have their own gardens. Their inclusions will depend on the characteristics of their manufacturing method, such as delicate spherical bubbles.
The mining of gemstones leads to an outpouring of violence between the various players involved, with disastrous consequences for local communities (forced labour, theft, murder, involuntary displacement, etc.). This is particularly the case in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia. On the other hand, the products used in extraction and deforestation are ravaging already fragile ecosystems.
By choosing laboratory-grown emerald, you are opting for conscious luxury, a gesture for society and the planet. Each piece, each sparkle of this precious stone tells a story, that of a commitment to a more transparent and just world. At AGUAdeORO, beauty isn't just visual; it's part of a movement. Let yourself be seduced by this timeless stone and choose luxury with meaning.
How do I care for my emerald jewelry?
We recommend that you keep your emerald jewelry separate from your other stones, to prevent bumps and scratches. To care for it, use a clean, soft cloth to gently clean it.
Our House offers a lifetime maintenance service and personalized advice to keep your jewel as sparkling as the day you first wore it.
La Belle Orgueilleuse, ring in 950 platinum set with a central emerald and two diamonds at its sides.
On the banner: The Flowing Green Leaves - Earrings in 18-carat white gold, featuring two large emeralds in the form of sparkling diamond “chandeliers”.