The emerald, this turquoise green precious stone so transparent like the Caribbean Sea has always made me dream! And this fascination is often expressed also in music, painting, literature, ... as being true beauty. Do you know Dolly Parton's song, Jolene? If you know her by heart, like me, you will surely remember this passage where she talks about Jolene and her emerald green eyes, a sign of fatal beauty! Since I started to take a closer interest in gemology and precious stones, it is the emerald that has captured my attention! Personally, I always had the feeling that this stone sublimated women and men.



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THE EMERALD, THIS STONE SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO FRAGILE AT THE SAME TIME


Nationaal


J I am not a great gem specialist. What I am sharing with you here is what I learned during my studies in jewelry and through my personal research and meetings with gemologists. My desire to know more about stones is growing. This is why during this summer of 2020 I will have the great chance to participate in two weeks of workshop in one of the most recognized gemological institutes, the SSEF. These institutes exist to certify stones often of value because requesting the certificate of a stone is not for all budgets. But they also allow training to become a stone expert, gemologist. Before there was the HRD in Antwerp and the GIA in the USA, now there is for the coloured stones the SSEF in Basel, Switzerland. I look forward !


What is emerald? The emerald is part of the beryl family. The green beryl is called emerald and the blue beryl is called aquamarine. The green color of the emerald comes from residues of chromium, vanadium and sometimes iron. The emerald is, with the diamond, the sapphire and the ruby, one of the four precious stones because quite rare.

What is the origin of the emerald name? The emerald is part of the beryl family. The green beryl is called emerald and the blue beryl is called aquamarine. What is the origin of the emerald name? This precious stone owes its name to the Greek "smaragdus", it would mean "to shine". Well chosen ;)

Where are the mines?  The most important deposits are found in Colombia and for thirty years in Brazil. Brazilian emeralds are generally lighter than Colombian ones. But there are mines which are also exploited in Zambia or Zimbabwe among others.


Why is the emerald fragile? In gemology, we use the Mohs scale (0-10) to know the hardness of a stone. The emerald is 7.5-8 against 10 for diamonds. Its hardness is therefore not so low. What makes this gem so fragile is its low toughness, that is to say that this stone is very little resistant to pressure and impact. This results in damage to the interior of the stone. Since the emerald often has many natural inclusions (internal cracks), external pressure will weaken the stone more. Sappers should always carefully analyze the gem before setting it. In my opinion, a beautiful emerald filled with inclusions makes it unique and mysterious at the same time.



ITS SYMBOLIC


Bracelet Equinoxe


For those who are sensitive to the symbolism of stones, the emerald is a source of intuition and receptivity.

According to Chloé Sarasola who travels to the four corners of the globe to bring back the most beautiful mineral species and who combines the world of science and symbols to transmit the message of the wonders of the Earth as she says it so well, the emerald allows "to open your heart to the world if you feel that it is locked out or that you have become insensitive to the emotions of life. It allows you to welcome what is offered to you with openness."


My entire Eternal Kô collection is made up of emeralds. These come from Zambia. And more recently, you will also find emeralds in my brand new Synchronicity collection! The emerald is very often mounted on 18-carat yellow gold, a noble metal much more resistant than silver. 

You know what you have to wear for this new year 2020! A word to the wise;)

I take this opportunity to wish you a happy new year filled with sweetness, inspiration and creativity!

Enora