Emerald stone are the most beautiful stones. The eye-catching green color of these gems is mesmerizing, such that you want to get lost in their enchanting depths. There are various emeralds available in the market of different origins. Two such major origins for this precious stone are Colombia and Zambia.
If you see Colombian and Zambian emeralds together, you cannot make a difference in one instance. Only through a gemstone certificate can you find out which is which. A gemstone certificate details the origin, treatments, and specific characteristics verified by gemological experts.
Understanding the difference between these two gems is essential. There are multiple factors associated, the price being the major one. This guide provides you with what to look for when purchasing emeralds from any of these origins.
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Zambian vs Colombian Emerald: Spot the Difference
Color: Emerald color is due to the trace elements chromium, vanadium, and iron. Colombian emerald display a pure green hue because of the chromium element. The higher the amount of chromium, the greener the color is. On the contrary, Zambian emeralds are darker in appearance with a bluish tint. This color variation is due to the ratio of trace elements where Colombian stones have large chromium amounts. Zambian counterparts have low chromium and high iron ratios.
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Clarity: Colombian emerald vs Zambian in terms of clarity refers to the former having low clarity. Zambian emeralds have exceptional clarity. Colombian counterparts have three-phase inclusions, combining liquid, gas, and solid crystal. This is how you can identify a Colombian emerald.
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Mines: Colombian Mines produce 90% of the emeralds worldwide. The famous mines in this region are the Chivor, Muzo, and Coscuez mines. Kafubu and Kagem mines in Zambia are recent discoveries producing good quality emeralds.
Price Comparison: Colombian emerald price starts from 10,000 USD which is comparatively high compared to the Zambian counterparts. However, high-quality Zambian emeralds with good color, clarity, and carat weight can surpass the price of Colombian stones. Carat weight also matters when deciding to buy emerald stone. For instance, emeralds from Colombia that are small in carat weight but have exceptional color and clarity are highly priced. On the contrary, high-carat Zambian counterparts are pricier.
Hardness: Zambian emeralds are considered harder compared to their Colombian counterparts.
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Colombian vs Zambian Emerald: Which one is better
When compared to quality, both origins provide top-quality emeralds. However Colombian emerald stones are considered exceptional quality stones because of the vivid green color reminiscent of nature. This color is not found in any of the green gemstones.
Besides this, its internal glow (particularly gemstones with no inclusions) is exceptional. Colombian stones are generally untreated. This increases their rarity, specifically the ones with larger carat weight.
Colombian emerald gemstones display heirloom appeal, and investing in them is considered both a symbol of timeless elegance and a wise choice for long-term value preservation. However, Zambian stones are also a good choice if you are looking for quality emeralds that fit your pocket.
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To conclude, choosing the perfect emerald for yourself depends upon your budget. Both the gemstone origins are best in their terms. One should always buy certified emerald from reputed gemstone dealers like Navratan.