Jewellery World Magazine - April 2022

Emerald-cut Afghan emeralds
(0.16-ct and 0.17-ct) from
Sovereign Gems.
(Photo: Sovereign Gems)
“Although fine quality emerald is in a higher price range than many
other coloured gemstones,” says Grant Hamid, owner of Melbournebased
Hamid Bros Pty Ltd, “it is one of the most popular. Its vibrant
green colour is very attractive and suits many skin tones.” Hamid
sources mostly from Zambia because he finds these stones “to be very
consistent in quality, price and availability of various shapes and sizes,”
noting however that the finest quality is challenging to source from
anywhere.
Susie Robson, director of Sydney-based Sovereign Gems, agrees that
“emeralds have always been popular. I think people are attracted
to emeralds because of the glowing green that the trace
element of chromium provides.” She adds that while
“traditionally, the most desired emeralds have come
from Colombia, these days, we see good material
from Zambia with gems also coming from Brazil and
Afghanistan.”
Emerald-cut emerald from Zambia
weighing 3.05 cts by oagems.
(Photo: oagems)
Round emerald set with diamonds
in a white gold ring by True Blue
Opals and Gems.
(Photo: True Blue Opals and Gems)
Brendan McCreesh, of oagems, comments, “Emeralds
have a tremendous beauty, mystique and cultural history that is
deeply evocative.” He also notes a recent increase in demand for these
green gems, “especially 1.5-ct-plus emerald cuts.” Not only is emerald
May’s birthstone, he adds, but it is also the gem for the 20th and 35th
wedding anniversaries, “so it will always remain a top seller.” While
oagems sells mostly Zambian emeralds, the company also carries
stones from Colombia and Brazil. “Colombian emeralds command a
higher price—up to 30 percent—per carat than comparable quality
Zambian stones,” he explains, noting that, in recent years, “buyers
have learned that many Zambian stones are often indistinguishable
from their South American cousins. With the increase in world prices
for emeralds, there is little wonder why Zambian stones currently
dominate the Australian market.”
Among the many emerald decorations are
carvings such as this 7.26-ct carved flower from
oagems. (Photo: oagems)
Emeralds in their mineral state are highly sought after by collectors. Shown
here is a 756-ct mineral specimen from the Curlew Emerald Mine, Shaw
River District, East Pilbara Shire, Western Australia. Mined by Scott Smith, it
is offered for sale by True Blue Opals and Gems.
(Photo: True Blue Opals and Gems)
And, let’s not forget the beautiful emeralds from Australia.
“Emeralds were discovered in Australia in 1912 near Poona,”
explains Salma Patel, owner of Queensland-based True Blue Opals
and Gems, who deals in spectacular mineral specimens. “While
most production is from Poona, emerald deposits are also found
Emmaville in NSW and in Western Australia, namely in the Pilbara
region, south of Port Hedland, and at Menzies.”
With its symbolism and beauty, emerald is the perfect birthstone for
May, representing growth and rebirth, whether in its natural mineral
state, as a faceted gem, an evocative carving, or set into myriad
types of exquisite jewellery. ■
April 2022 41