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| Home » Gemstones as Jewelry » Emeralds » The Gachala Emerald |
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The Gachala Emerald |
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The Gachala Emerald is an uncut 5-cm emerald crystal. It weighs around 858 carats (172 g). The Gachala Emerald was found in the year 1967 at Vega de San Juan mine. This mine is situated in Colombia. The Gachala Emerald is named after the mining district where it was discovered. Now in the United States, this gemstone was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by the New York jeweler, Harry Winston.
Emeralds come in various shades of green and bluish green. There is a wide spectrum of clarity. This clarity is very much dependent on the inclusions and fractures in the crystal. Clear stones having dark but vibrant color gets the highest prices. The price range of an emerald depends on its cut, color, clarity, and carat. At this point of time the best emeralds come from the Muzo mine in Colombia.
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The biggest and finest emeralds are obtained from the famous Chivor and Muzo mines of Colombia. The smaller quantities of emeralds, which are mainly of medium-light color, come from Brazil. Some small, very intensely colored stones, which are distinguished by many minute inclusions of molybdenite having a metallic appearance, are found in the Transvaal.
Most of the emeralds that are found are oiled as part of the post lapidary process. This is done in order to improve their clarity. Cedar oil is often used, because it has a similar refractive index, and it is also a generally accepted practice. The United.States Federal Trade Commission requires the revelation of this type of treatment when a treated emerald is being sold. The quantity of oil entering an emerald micro fissure is more or less equivalent to the size of a period, that is, a full stop, in print. The use of green tinted oil is normally not considered acceptable by the gem trade.
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