Teodora Emerald

In a couple days, we will know the price tag of the world's largest cut emerald. The rough-cut opaque emerald looks like watermelon was appraised at $1.15 million. The emerald will be auctioned on January 28, 2012.

The emerald weights 57,000 carat or 11.5 kilograms. It is named 'Teodora' and rough translation is 'God's Gift.'

"It's not unusual for gemstones to sell a lot higher than their appraised value, just depending on who wants to possess the largest emerald in the world. Really the sky's the limit," Western Star Auctions owner Mike Odenbach.

Ready for writing a check? May be you are one of collectors who like to chase the Guinness world record things.

Renowned gem and jewelry expert Antoinette Matlins, whom I rather base opinions in gem and jewelry on, said the stone "appears to be heavily included with numerous surface reaching fractures."

Personally, I prefer smaller natural top-notch blue green color emerald in very good clarity that not gone through treatment. And in this economic climate, 1 million dollars may be well spent in gold or precious metals. Let's hope one day the emerald will find its place in some museum so that anyone can enjoy this natural beauty.

(photo by Western Star Auction)

New Discovery of 65-carat emerald in North Carolina

The 65-carat emerald nicknamed the Carolina Emperor was pulled from a farm in the rural
community of Hiddenite, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.

The Carolina Emperor has intense green hue however not impressive clarity. The story of
the discovery of this rarity emerald spurred some interest from private collectors.

North Carolina's official state precious stone is the emerald.

It's not fully known why North Carolina terrain containing emeralds. There have been
small mining around Hiddenite community for decades. Emerald is found in North Carolina
near Hiddenite in Alexander County and southwest of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County.

However main sources of emerald supplies are from Columbia, Pakistan, and Africa.

The largest single emerald crystal found in North America was found at the Rist Mine at
Hiddenite in 1969. The crystal weighed 1,438 carats. The "Carolina Emerald," a 13.14 carat
emerald-cut gem, was also found at the Rist Mine.

Emerald Cat's Eye

Cat's eye phenomenon or chatoyancy is caused by light reflecting off of parallel bundles of tiny hollow tubes or fibrous crystals of another mineral inside the gemstone.

Emerald cat's eye is very rare and only found in emeralds from Brazil or Columbia.

This sharp cat's eye emerald, alexandrite, and diamond ring was priced of $US 53,000 at Sotheby's Magnificent jewels & jadeite auction.

Colombian Emerald & Diamond Ear Clips for $218,500

Colombian Emerald & diamond ear clips jewelry was auctioned for $218,500 at Christie's,Dubai. Emerald, weight 16.30 and 15.69 carats, mounted in platinum ring with brillant-cut diamond surround.

Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. It's normal for emerald to have inclusions, cracks or fissures, especially if it has a deep green color. Emeralds are routinely treated with colorless oils, wax or resins to enhance clarity and improve transparency. This is a general trade practice.

Gemfields Discovers 6,225 carat Emerald in Zambia

Gemfields discovers the tremendous 6,225 carat emerald. The emerald was recovered during normal mining operations on February 5, according to the company statement.

The emerald has been named "Insofu" and currently is being examined by Gemfields' experts to establish a clearer understanding of its value and significance.

Ian Harebottle, chief executive of Gemfields said "This is a unique find. The Insofu displays wonderful color and good translucency. Its sheer size, rich color and fine protective biotite shell make it difficult to see deep into the gem.
However, all indications suggest that the core of the emerald is competent and that it should yield a number of cut gems of significant size."

It will be interesting to see cut gems from a translucent stone. We often find cabochon gems faceted from dark and translucent stones.
The largest emerald crystal was 7,025 carats and found in Colombia. The largest emerald mineral was 86,136 carats and found in Brazil.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk