0.31 Ct. Emerald from Zambia

This listing describes a single, transparent green emerald weighing 0.31 carat, with precise dimensions of 4.56 x 4.45 x 2.96 millimeters. The stone is fashioned in a round shape with a mixed brilliant cut, combining faceting techniques to enhance light return. The clarity is graded very slightly included evaluated at eye level, indicating minor internal characteristics that do not materially impede transparency or visual performance. The color displays a medium intense green, balanced between saturation and tone, and the polish is graded excellent, producing clean facet junctions and smooth reflective surfaces. Enhancement is standard, consistent with common practices for emerald care, and the documented origin is Zambia. The Natural Emerald Company presents this gem with full disclosure of these attributes for accurate assessment.

Optical behavior of this emerald reflects the interaction of its physical proportions, cut style, internal features, and intrinsic material properties. The mixed brilliant cut amplifies scintillation by incorporating crown and pavilion facets adapted to a round outline, producing lively flashes of light across the table and crown. The excellent polish permits sharp, crisp reflections from each facet plane, and the gem is sufficiently transparent to allow depth and internal light play. Emerald as a species exhibits a vitreous luster and a moderate refractive index relative to higher dispersion gems, so brilliance tends to be more restrained and focused than in stones with elevated refractive indices. In this specimen the medium intense color works in concert with the very slightly included clarity to present a vivid green field while still permitting specular highlights and facet contrast, making the stone appear lively rather than subdued.

When compared to other gems that share a green palette or fall within the broader category of collectible emeralds, the reflective qualities of this Zambian emerald are distinct. Within the family of emeralds, regional differences influence color tone and typical inclusion patterns, and Zambian material commonly carries a slightly cooler or bluish green component with good transparency. Colombian emeralds are often praised for their pure green and intense saturation, which can produce a different perception of brilliance despite similar polish, because color purity affects contrast and light return. Compared to other green gemstones such as tsavorite garnet and green tourmaline, this emerald will display less overall brilliance and dispersion, since those species have higher refractive indices and stronger fire. Tsavorite garnet, for example, tends to exhibit brisker sparkle and a more gemlike brilliance under strong light, owing to its higher index and typically clean clarity. Green tourmaline can offer pronounced flashes and strong facet contrast depending on cut and clarity. Peridot typically shows olive tones and moderate luster that differ from emeralds. The mixed brilliant cut applied to this emerald narrows the practical gap in scintillation with these higher index stones, by optimizing facet arrangement for light return, while the natural material properties and medium intense color maintain the aesthetic identity of emerald.

For practical considerations in jewelry design and maintenance, the reflective performance of this emerald responds well to settings and lighting that favor bright, controlled illumination and that allow the stone to present its table and crown to the viewer. Open settings that permit light access from multiple directions will enhance the scintillation produced by the mixed brilliant cutting style, while darker metal surrounds can increase perceived color saturation and contrast. Because the enhancement is standard, routine care and periodic professional evaluation are advised to preserve polish and stability. The very slightly included clarity grade signals that the stone can be set with minimal risk of visible inclusion interference, yet careful setting techniques are recommended to protect facet edges and to avoid undue stress. The Natural Emerald Company provides this detailed description so that gem professionals and discerning clients alike can assess how the gem will perform visually and functionally in a finished piece, based on its precise measurements, cut, clarity, color, polish, enhancement status, and documented Zambian origin.