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Colombian Emeralds vs. Zambian Emeralds
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On Tuesday, February 24, 2015
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When only the greenest of precious stones will do for a setting, emeralds are the clear choice. Consumers, however, are soon to discover that these stones can originate from a variety of locations around the globe with some regions simply offering higher quality than others.
If only the best stones will do for an emerald engagement ring or other design, two particular countries tend to stand out from the rest when it comes to quality and richness of color. Emeralds from Colombia and Zambian emeralds are the most highly sought after in the world today. While stones from these two parts of the world have a lot of similarities, there are some differences consumers may want to consider, as well.
Their Beauty Makes Them Hard to Distinguish
While Colombia tends to lead the world in production, Zambia comes in second. The reason for these two particular countries standing out from the crowd in regard to production is simple - quality. Stones from either location tend to stand out due to their rich colors and their overall structural quality.
Zambian emeralds and emeralds from Colombia both rank a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. That puts them just behind rubies and sapphires at 9 and diamonds at 10. Since emeralds are a bit softer and are not entirely immune to scratching or chipping, it’s quite common for stones from either region to be treated by jewelers to add to their durability while enhancing the richness of their colors.
What Sets Them Apart
Aside from their country of origin, emeralds from Zambia and Colombia do have a few distinctions that set them apart even from each other. When it comes to emerald prices, for example, the leader in stone production, Colombia, tends to fetch a bit more. The reason for this, however, has nothing to do with quality or beauty and everything to do with Colombia simply being the traditional source for emeralds.
Stones from Zambia and Colombia do have some appearance differences that distinguish them, as well. Colombian stones are noted for their deep “emerald” green color while those from Zambia are famed for their bluish-green shade. Some gemologists report that Colombian stones tend to have a clear core while Zambian stones maintain their color throughout. Zambian stones also have a propensity to be a tad less brittle than those mined elsewhere, but thanks to strengthening methods the difference is mainly academic when stones from Zambia and Colombia are compared.
If you’re ready to design your own emerald ring or you’re interested in another type of setting, emeralds from either Colombia or Zambia are ideal. Stones from these two particular regions are synonymous with beauty and quality.
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Tags: colombian emeralds, zambian emeralds, emerald engagement rings, loose emeralds
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Category: Gemstones
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