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Marketing Coordinator CR Gems
As the birthstone of May and one of the traditional “Big Three” gemstones alongside ruby and sapphire, emerald continues to hold a strong place within fine jewellery and the wider gemstone trade.
From origin and colour through to treatments and rarity, Jade McHardy of CR Gems tells us more about what continues to make emerald one of the most distinctive gemstones in the market today.
By Jade McHardy, CR Gems
Emerald, the birthstone of May, has long been prized for its rich green colour and timeless appeal. As one of the “Big Three” gemstones - alongside ruby and sapphire - it holds a special place in fine jewellery. At CR Gems, emerald is a key focus, valued for its individuality, rarity, and the unique character each stone displays.
Emerald belongs to the beryl family, the same mineral group as aquamarine and morganite. Its distinctive green colour is caused by trace elements of chromium and vanadium, which give emerald its signature vibrant tones.
Unlike many gemstones, emeralds are rarely flawless, which is part of their charm. Their inclusions are often accepted and celebrated as indication of natural origin.
Pair of vivid green emeralds showcasing strong colour saturation and natural character. Image credit: CR Gems.
Emeralds can vary significantly in colour, including:
The most desirable stones typically display:
Ultimately, much comes down to personal preference.
Emerald-cut emerald displaying deep green colour and strong clarity. Image credit: CR Gems.
Emeralds are sourced from several key regions, each producing stones with distinct characteristics. The three most sought-after and stocked at CR Gems are:
Zambia – Known for deeper, cooler-toned greens. The majority of CR Gems’ emerald stock is Zambian, reflecting both quality and consistency.
Colombia – Famous for bright, vivid greens typically showing a distinctive “neon” glow.
Brazil – Often lighter in tone, sometimes with more visible inclusions.
Understanding origin not only helps define the look of a stone, but also enhances its story and desirability when presented to clients.
Emeralds are commonly treated to improve their appearance, and understanding these treatments is essential.
Most emeralds are treated with oil to reduce the visibility of inclusions.
The majority of CR Gems stock is certified with GIA, where levels of oiling are typically classified as:
This treatment is widely accepted across the trade and should always be disclosed.
Some emeralds on the market may be glass-filled. This involves filling fractures with a glass-like substance to improve clarity, significantly altering the stone’s structure and value.
CR Gems does not deal in glass-filled emeralds, focusing exclusively on traditionally oiled or untreated stones.
Pear-cut emerald showcasing vivid green colour and natural internal characteristics. Image credit: CR Gems.
The emerald cut was specifically developed for this gemstone.
The cut corners reduce the risk of chipping, while the step-cut facets emphasise colour rather than brilliance, allowing the stone’s natural character and inclusions to be appreciated more clearly.
Although the emerald cut remains the traditional way to showcase emerald, the gemstone can be found in a wide variety of cuts and shapes. One particularly unique piece at CR Gems is a perfectly round 6.41ct emerald sphere (details here).
6.41ct emerald sphere showcasing the gemstone’s rich green colour and natural inclusions. Image credit: CR Gems
Another standout listing is a pair of trapiche emeralds cut specifically to display the stone’s rare inclusion phenomenon (details here).
Pair of trapiche emeralds displaying the gemstone’s rare natural inclusion pattern. Image credit: CR Gems
Emeralds require more considered care than other traditional gemstones.
Care recommendations include:
Emeralds are valued not for perfection, but for character and individuality.
Each stone is naturally unique, containing inclusions that tell its geological story and displaying a depth of green unmatched by most gemstones.
The finite supply of high-quality material available on today’s market is becoming increasingly apparent, with scarcity continuing to drive demand. One of CR Gems’ standout stones is a vivid 10+ct Zambian emerald — a combination of size and quality that is becoming increasingly rare.
CR Gems has also seen growing interest in green gemstones more broadly, with green emerging as one of the strongest colour trends in the market. Alongside emeralds, demand for tsavorite and green sapphires has also increased significantly.
10ct+ Zambian emerald displaying rich green colour and exceptional presence. Image credit: CR Gems.
For trade clients, CR Gems offers an advanced online platform.
With an account, buyers can search for gemstones using a range of filters, including:
This allows gemstones to be sourced more efficiently for specific projects and client requirements.
Selection of emeralds in a range of cuts, tones and sizes from the CR Gems collection. Image credit: CR Gems.
Explore CR Gems: cr-gems.com
View the gemstone database: gemstonesdatabase.com
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