Rough Emerald

A hand-held flashlight shows the green color of a rough emerald from a Colombian mine. - Photo by Eric Welch/GIA

Emerald Color

This emerald's color has a slightly warm appearance and a very vivid color. It is quite special. - Photo courtesy Stuller, Inc.

Rough and Cut Emerald

Cut and polished emerald comes from rough emeralds that are just as beautiful. There are different shapes and sizes of cut and polished emeralds being sold today. They can be very expensive. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

Engraved Emerald

This emerald is from the time of Emperor Aurangzeb, who was emperor of India from 1658 to 1707. It is engraved with Islamic prayers and is held in the Museum of Islamic Art, in the Arab state of Qatar. - Photo © Harold and Erica Van Pelt, emerald courtesy of Allan Caplan

Emerald Cabochons

Emerald cabochons are popular. These cabochons are rare because they are displaying the cats eye effect. If you remember, this is the phenomenon called chatoyancy. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

Trapiche Emerald

This stone is a trapiche emerald. In a trapiche stone, inclusions form rays in a star-like pattern. Its cabochon cut shows off this interesting effect. There is a tiny six-sided shape in the middle. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy Columbian Emeralds Co.

Colors Explained

Emeralds are formed when chromium, vanadium, and iron elements are present in the mineral beryl. Chromium and vanadium make an intense green color. Iron gives the stone a bluish tint.

Devonshire Emerald

The 1,383.93-carat Devonshire Emerald is from the Muzo mine in Colombia. It is currently part of the Devonshire Collection of the Natural History Museum in London. - Photo courtesy Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth

Chalk Emerald

What do you think of the Chalk Emerald? It is well known for its intense color and is surrounded by 60 diamonds. It is held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. - Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution

Worn By an Ottoman

The Hooker Emerald was worn by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the last sultan of the Ottoman Empire. - Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution

Emerald Rings

Emerald jewelry has lasted for centuries. The emeralds in today’s jewelry will do the same if they are taken care of properly. - Photo by John Parrish, courtesy of Color Masters

Beautiful Landscape

See how the bluish-green to green color of an emerald is like the lushest landscape.