0.71 Ct. Emerald from Afghanistan

This 0.71 carat, transparent green emerald originates from Afghanistan, a source known for producing stones with saturated chroma and a distinctly rich, verdant hue. The rough crystal was extracted from a high altitude alluvial seam by experienced local miners who follow traditional removal techniques designed to preserve crystal integrity. From the mine to the initial sorting facility, every fragment is visually inspected to separate gem-quality material from matrix and heavily fractured pieces. The rough that became this piece exhibited a well-formed prismatic habit and a favorable orientation for step cutting, allowing the cutter to maximize face-up color while minimizing weight loss. At The Natural Emerald Company we document provenance at every stage, maintaining a clear chain of custody from the Afghan claim to our laboratory benches, ensuring responsible sourcing and traceability for discerning buyers who value both origin and craftsmanship.

During preforming and cutting the decision to execute a classical emerald cut was intentional, informed by the rough geometry and internal feature distribution. The emerald cut on this stone emphasizes parallel step facets on the crown and pavilion, resulting in broad, open planes that display the stone’s intense color concentration and controlled light return. The cutter established an ideal table to depth relationship relative to the 7.04 by 5.08 by 2.57 millimeter proportions, balancing pavilion depth to preserve the 0.71 carat weight while avoiding windowing or excessive extinction. The trimmed corners characteristic of the emerald cut reduce susceptibility to corner chips in finished settings, and the faceting sequence included meticulous lap progression and repeated burnishing to achieve the reported excellent polish. The result is a stable, low contrast facet junction network that yields crisp facet outlines and broad satiny flashes rather than scintillation, a hallmark of expertly executed step cutting intended to showcase color over brilliance.

Clarity grading of slightly included, evaluated at eye level, accurately describes the internal world of this emerald. Typical of natural, untreated crystalline beryl from Afghanistan, the stone contains fine jardin structures and a small number of discreet feather and two-phase inclusions. These features are distributed in a way that they do not dominate the table or disturb the overall visual field, allowing the intense color intensity to remain the primary visual attribute. The stone underwent standard enhancement, a controlled clarity treatment using industry-accepted thin film and oiling techniques to reduce the appearance of surface-reaching fissures and to stabilize the stone for wear. We disclose this enhancement transparently because it is a common, reversible, and accepted practice in the emerald trade that improves visual clarity while preserving natural character. The excellent polish and the standard enhancement combine to present a gem with strong face-up saturation and a pleasing, even color plane, qualities that experienced connoisseurs and lapidaries recognize as commercially and aesthetically desirable.

As the gem moved from the cutting bench to market, The Natural Emerald Company executed a final quality control regimen that includes photographic documentation, precise measurement verification, and secure packaging for transit. The finished gem at 7.04 by 5.08 by 2.57 millimeters, and 0.71 carats, is ideal for a variety of settings where the emerald cut’s linear elegance can be celebrated, such as classic solitaire rings with protective corner prongs, low-profile bezel settings for everyday wear, or vintage inspired three-stone designs where step facets complement adjacent accent stones. For jewelers and private collectors who require technical specifics, we provide facet diagram sketches on request, along with detailed notes about the enhancement method and inclusion mapping. The Natural Emerald Company stands behind this stone’s documented journey, offering expert guidance for setting choices and long term care, including periodic re-oiling recommendations if the buyer elects to maintain the stone’s luster over decades. For customers seeking a transparent, technically described specimen with notable Afghan color, balanced proportions, and excellent polish, this emerald represents a finely considered option that merges natural character with professional finishing.