0.35 Ct. Emerald from Afghanistan

This loose natural emerald offered by The Natural Emerald Company is a transparent 0.35 carat princess shape gem, with precise dimensions of 4.17 by 4.14 by 3.15 millimeters, a medium color intensity, and a clarity grade of very slightly included when evaluated at eye level. The stone displays a classic princess cut outline with sharply defined corners and an optimized facet arrangement, and the overall surface shows an excellent polish. Enhancement is standard, consistent with conventional clarity stabilization practices for natural emeralds, and the documented origin is Afghanistan, a source known for producing stones with distinctive trace element signatures and a characteristic green hue. Photographically the gem presents a crisp square table and a symmetrical crown, the pavilion depth and facet geometry produce a controlled interplay of light and color, and the piece is well suited for precision settings where its square silhouette can be secured without compromising the integrity of the corners.

From a faceting and light performance perspective this princess cut has been executed to balance brilliance and color saturation, the square pavilion creates a concentrated return of green tones, and the crown faceting produces an appealing cruciform or X motif when observed through the table. The proportions of this particular stone are notable, the measured depth of 3.15 millimeters relative to the average of the two table diameters produces an approximate overall depth of 76 percent, and that relatively deep pavilion contributes to richer apparent color and controlled windowing. The dimensions of 4.17 by 4.14 millimeters give the stone good spread for a 0.35 carat weight in a square outline, and the excellent polish enhances facet contrast so that pavilion and crown interactions remain well defined under direct lighting. For buyers and setters who value facet precision, the princess cut in this emerald emphasizes clean facet junctions and minimal facet offset, which aids in achieving predictable light return in ring or pendant applications.

Regarding clarity and enhancement the very slightly included grade at eye level indicates inclusions are small and not obtrusive to the naked eye, the inclusions appear as fine feathering and directional growth features typical of natural emeralds from Afghanistan, and these internal characteristics act as a natural fingerprint that confirms geological origin when paired with trace element and inclusion analysis. The listed enhancement as standard most commonly refers to the controlled introduction of colorless oils or proprietary resins to improve apparent clarity, and such treatments are reversible and restorable with appropriate workshop care. Natural emeralds are members of the beryl family, they exhibit a hardness in the range of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and they possess a crystallographic cleavage that requires thoughtful setting design, therefore protective mounting such as four prong heads with corner guards or a bezel with inset corners is recommended to minimize mechanical risk. The combination of excellent polish, minimal visible inclusions, and standard enhancement yields a stone that balances aesthetics with the practical considerations of daily wear.

When comparing this natural Afghan emerald to lab grown alternatives it is important to separate technical attributes from market and historical value, lab grown emeralds offer excellent color uniformity and clarity control, and they are attractive for cost efficiency and design consistency, however natural emeralds like this specimen retain intrinsic geological provenance, unique inclusion patterns that record formation history, and scarcity that supports long term collectibility. The Natural Emerald Company stands behind the documented origin of this stone and can provide guidance on independent gemological verification that demonstrates trace element signatures and inclusion morphology consistent with Afghan formation. In practical terms the deeper pavilion and medium color intensity of this natural princess cut produce a vibrancy and depth of tone that is often difficult to replicate in laboratory growth without resorting to different growth chemistries, and the tactile and visual subtleties of a natural emerald, including slight color zoning, minor internal reflections, and a living surface interaction with light, are attributes appreciated by connoisseurs and collectors. For a client seeking a piece with geological authenticity, rarity in a square princess shape, and the technical refinement to perform in a bespoke setting, this emerald represents an optical and structural proposition that differentiates it from lab grown material, and The Natural Emerald Company can assist with mounting recommendations, certification pathways, and long term care instructions to preserve the stone's color and clarity.