Ethiopian Emerald Stone

In comparison with Brazil, Colombia, and Zambia, Ethiopia relatively have a fewer number of emerald deposits but they resource some of the world’s best gem-quality green Beryl minerals. The main Ethiopian emerald mine is located in the southern part of the country i.e., the Oromia region. It is best known for producing some highly clean and eye-pleasing green emerald stones. Ethiopian emerald deposits are also found in the rural townlets of Seba Boru District for instance Dermi, Kenticha, and Shakiso.

The annual contribution of Ethiopian mines in the global gemstone industry is very nominal. They contribute nearly 1.5 % of the world’s total emerald supplies because all mines here are presently operating but under heavy restrictions. However, gem lovers, gemstone retailers, and lapidaries around the world are once again optimistic about the glorious future of this magnificent emerald variety with the unearthing of fine-colored emerald crystals in large sizes resembling those produced in the Bogota mine of Colombia. Despite its least production, Ethiopia registers its name at the top of the list of superior emerald suppliers. Ethiopian Emeralds are exceptionally of high-quality and have emerged as a promising variety of emerald among gem and jewelry traders.

At Navratan, the online gem Bazar, you can find original Ethiopian Emerald stones in endless jewelry options such as rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets.

Alike any other precious stone, the quality and value of astonishingly beautiful Ethiopian Emeralds are majorly derived on the basis of their color, clarity, cut, luster, and carat weight. Though in comparison to other pioneer origins such as Colombian and Zambian, Ethiopia is relatively less popular. Owing to restricted mining in this region, the availability of Ethiopian Emerald gemstones in the market is quite limited.

The prices of Ethiopian emeralds generally start from approx. $ 60 per carat and goes as high as $ 2,000 or above with an increase in quality traits. Although this is not an exact estimate regarding the relative value of this gem in the market, the precise price may vary depending upon the size and availability of the stone. According to expert gem retailers, a fine-quality Ethiopian emerald fetches a premium price equal to the high-quality Zambian emerald. Here are the basic quality factors that may help you to choose the best quality Ethiopian Emerald gemstone of your choice.

Color – The lively green emeralds from the Ethiopia region generally come with an unrivaled gleam. Often, the color of Ethiopian emerald is moderate yet intense light green with a slight overtone of beautiful blue. Its vibrant green hue largely resembles the Colombian emeralds of Muzo or Chivor mines. When it comes to the pricing, the more vivid and deeper is the green color, the higher will be the cost of the emerald.

In general, the top-quality Ethiopian emerald gems that range in a medium-light green hue are likely to have a mesmerizing glow and unique vibrant appeal. The commercial-grade emeralds or Panna stones usually contain a higher concentration of yellow or blue tint as their secondary hues. Certain clean pieces that come with a minor bluish-green hue also manage to draw a decent value in the gemstone market. On the contrary, emeralds with poor color consistency and low saturation often get a reduced price due to their inferior beauty.

Clarity – While discussing the clarity, it is critical in Ethiopian emeralds. Just like other emeralds, these emeralds also follow the rule, the cleaner the better. However, they contain natural inclusions but are considerably translucent. Even the transparent emeralds of Ethiopia usually contain few eye-visible inclusions. Though in the case when the inclusions don’t hamper the overall color, quality, and beauty of the stone, the prices of the gem do not get influenced much by these inclusions.

Nevertheless, highly transparent clean pieces of Ethiopian emeralds also do exist but they are quite rare and hence extremely precious. While the opaque or highly included pieces appear less beautiful and therefore marketed at a discounted value. Inclusions like tiny bubbles or biotite mica flakes can be noticed from the naked eyes. Those emeralds that come with good transparency and minimum visible flaws are considered of the best quality. On the other hand, stones with high opacity and surface-reaching inclusions eventually fall in the lower category of quality/

Cut – The raw rough of Ethiopian emerald is commonly cut and polished in different sizes and shapes to give ultimate finishes. Where Emerald-cut stones are quite common in Panna stone; round and oval-shaped emeralds are more easily obtained in the market. Ethiopian emerald rough that has decent color and clarity is often faceted in oval, round, square, and rectangular shapes. While medium-quality roughs are generally cut into oval cabochons (non-faceted gems with the convex polished surface) or polished round shapes. For the lower-quality gems, there happens a conversion into beads.

On account of good accessibility, Ethiopian emeralds in the oval, round, and emerald cuts can be purchased at an affordable price segment. However, for the stones that demand some highly customized shapes such as princess cut and brilliant cut, the price goes surprisingly high. It is so because a more rough stone is drained out during the cutting process.

Carat Weight – Though Ethiopia is a newly introduced member of the emerald family, it also follows the abiding directive that says the prices of the stone will rise with an increase in its size. However some say it will be too early to state that the value will get a proportional increase with size, but it is quite apparent the price of the emerald stone will get a rise with a rise in its carat weight, providing all the other quality factors remain same. Limited availability often made the per-carat price of loose Ethiopian emerald stones to increase significantly for big sizes.

Luster – Upon initial extraction, the rough of Ethiopian emerald stone might appears a little dull in comparison to other varieties of emeralds but it displays an extremely vitreous luster when cut and polished in a fine manner. The premium quality loose emerald stones that come from the Ethiopian region often exhibit an attractive luster and remarkable transparency. Similarly, gemstones with little or no luster are often considered less valuable in the gemstone market.

Since Ethiopians are a rare and premium class of emeralds, they are quite tough to find in their original form. Thus, if you are investing your hard-earned money in purchasing them, make sure you are buying a real stone or product. Always ask for a certificate of authenticity of the stone from the seller. You can also consult a trusted gemstone laboratory to test the gemstone’s authenticity regarding its quality, origin, and treatment. These gem testing laboratories have highly experienced gemologists that study and test the gemstones accordingly to issue a certificate of authenticity via the use of state-of-the-art technology. With Navratan, you will get only the best quality certified Brazilian Emerald stone verified by the most renowned and independent gemstone testing labs such as SSEF, GRS, GIA, Gubelin, AGR, IGI, and ITLGJ.