THE EMERALD EMPIRE - Exclusively Colombian Emerald

Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They show the most beautiful and the most brilliant green imaginable, Emerald green. Inclusions are allowed and in finest of qualities, Emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds because pure Emerald is very rare and is out numbered greatly by fine diamonds and rubies. Emeralds are gemstones that retain their purity of green color in several types of lighting [sunshine - artificial lighting]. To display this gemstone's captivating Emerald green color the industry has developed the Emerald-cut [or step-cut] especially for Emeralds which displays the gemstones deep green color with a large surface area called the table.

We sell several sizes of 18kt gold crosses [made in Bogotá, Colombia]

EMERALD is the birthstone for the month of May and is also the anniversary gemstone for the 20th, 35th, and 55th years of marriage. The symbolic meaning of the Emerald is the promise of new life, growth, integrity, flourishing, and of prosperity and increase.

The Emerald Empire stands 100% behind the quality of Emerald that we stock. Our Emeralds are mined solely in Colombia in the region just outside of the city of Bogotá see maps. All of our Emeralds are individually hand selected to ensure premiere quality with you in mind our valued client(s). See our Gem List - Online Store.

Famous Emeralds

Emeralds have been coveted since ancient times. Some of the most famous Emeralds are admired in museums and collections. The American Museum of Natural History in New York has on display a beautiful challis from pure Emerald which was owned by Emperor Jehingar. There are several other Emerald pieces on display in this collection which are owned by the Bank of Bogotá.

The two most famous uncut Emeralds are the Devonshire and the Patricia. The Devonshire is a 1383.95-carat, uncut Colombian crystal of beautiful green color. It was a gift to the 6th Duke of Devonshire by Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil in 1831. The Devonshire Emerald is from the Muzo Mine which is 75 miles [120 kilometers] outside the city of Bogotá, Colombia. The Patricia Emerald is another crystal of exceptional color that is permanently on display and available for viewing in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Rare Emeralds-Trapiche

The latest find in the Muzo mine is the Trapiche Emerald. A spoke-like pattern which resembles a wheel. The emerald formation is named Trapiche (tra-PEE-chee) after a spoked cog-wheel used to grind sugar cane. These rare Emeralds are only found in Colombia occuring at Muzo and Penas Blancas mines. Trapiche Emerald's are formed when black carbon impurities fill in at the emerald crystal junction which forms a radial pattern with a six-pointed star effect. Because of the rarity of these gems the most avid collectors are displaying them in their world showcases. One of these collections is the Colombian Millennium Trapiche collection of Bogotá in the Emerald District.

Large Emeralds of good quality are quite rare. In these instances the price for an Emerald of top quality will be higher than the price for an equally large diamond of the same weight.

• Maps-Colombian Emerald Mines: Where is my Emerald from?
• Buyer Education: Important questions to ask when buying your Emerald?