0.54 Ct. Emerald from Afghanistan

This transparent 0.54 carat princess shape green emerald, measuring 4.69 x 4.68 x 3.87 mm, is a superb illustration of balance between precise cutting and exceptional natural color, offered by The Natural Emerald Company. The stone presents a vivid color intensity that reads as a pure, saturated green under standard lighting, and the clarity is graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, meaning the internal features are minimal and do not interfere with the gem at a normal viewing distance. The polish on this piece is excellent, producing sharp facet junctions and clean facet planes that contribute directly to the stone s overall visual appeal. Enhancement is standard, consistent with conventional emerald treatments, and the origin is Afghanistan, a source known for producing emeralds with striking saturation and depth of hue.

From a gemological perspective, the combination of vivid color, high transparency, and a very slightly included clarity grade is particularly attractive to an educated buyer, because it maximizes both aesthetic and market value without overreliance on heavy enhancement. The vivid color intensity indicates strong chromium and vanadium influence within the beryl lattice, producing a color that reads as lively and pure rather than brownish or muted, and the stone s transparency allows that color to be perceived cleanly across the face of the gem. Very slightly included clarity denotes that inclusions are present but limited in size and number, and because they are not readily observed at eye level, they do not substantially affect light transmission or durability. Standard enhancement for emeralds, typically involving minor clarity improving treatments, is disclosed here for full transparency, and it is commonly accepted in the trade as a way to improve stability and appearance without compromising the stone s intrinsic characteristics. Afghanistan origin adds a geographic premium for collectors and designers who value provenance, as Afghan emeralds are recognized for an intense green that translates well into both contemporary and classic jewelry designs.

The princess cut of this emerald is central to the way the gem interacts with light, and the cutting geometry has been executed to enhance both brilliance and color saturation. The square silhouette with its crisp corners and a faceting scheme that echoes a modified brilliant approach creates a complex interplay of pavilion and crown facets that capture light at multiple angles, returning it through the table as scintillation and vivid color. The stone s depth, at 3.87 mm relative to the 4.69 mm face dimensions, provides a substantial pavilion that supports internal reflection and avoids excessive windowing, so more light is retained within the gem rather than leaking out the sides. Excellent polish ensures that each facet functions as an efficient mirror, sharpening contrast and enabling the natural color to appear denser and more consistent across the surface. For practical settings, the princess shape sits elegantly in modern bezel or prong mounts, and because the cut concentrates light return into a lively face up appearance, the 0.54 carat size reads larger to the eye than an unoptimized cut of comparable weight. At The Natural Emerald Company we place a premium on proportion and finish, and this Afghan princess emerald is a fine example of how expert cutting can enhance a gemstone s inherent properties of light reflection, color, and overall presence.