0.99 Ct. Emerald from Colombia - Muzo

This is a C. Dunaigre certified 0.99 carat Asscher octagon shape green emerald, offered by The Natural Emerald Company, with dimensions of 6.42 by 6.34 by 3.97 millimeters. The gem is transparent, with a clarity grade of very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, and exhibits a vivid color intensity characteristic of premium Colombian material. The cut is Asscher, a type of step cut that produces a defined geometric outline and controlled light return. The polish of the stone is graded excellent, which enhances surface smoothness and facilitates strong facet reflections. Enhancement is standard, consistent with typical practices for emeralds, and the origin is Colombia, Muzo, a source known for saturated greens. These objective specifications define the gem for gemological comparison and for integration into jewelry, and they form the basis for assessing its reflective and optical performance.

The Asscher cut, with its concentric step facets and truncated corners, shapes how light interacts with this emerald. Rather than delivering abundant pinpoint flashes of scintillation, the cut emphasizes broad, mirrored flashes and a deep internal glow. The step facet architecture creates a hall of mirrors effect, where larger facet planes produce coherent reflections and broad light return. Because the stone is transparent and possesses excellent polish, surface reflections are crisp and well defined. The vivid color intensity absorbs specific wavelengths, which means that the perceived brightness is a function of both the cut geometry and the color saturation. In this specimen, the combination of step facets, polish, and color saturation produces a velvety play of light, with defined facet faces reflecting in a modal pattern that highlights the emerald green rather than dispersing light into spectral fire.

When compared to other gemstones in its category, this emerald demonstrates a reflective profile typical of fine beryl but distinct from higher dispersion or higher refractive index gems. Emeralds, as beryl species, have a refractive index range lower than many garnets and higher than some quartz species, which results in less pronounced brilliance than stones such as tsavorite garnet or demantoid garnet. Those garnets exhibit higher refractive indices and greater dispersion, producing stronger fire and more lively scintillation. Green tourmaline, with a modestly higher refractive index than beryl, tends to deliver sharper brilliance and more energetic facet scintillation when cut in brilliant styles. By contrast, this Asscher cut emerald favors broad flashes and depth of tone. Compared to other emeralds, especially those cut as emerald cut or cushion, the Asscher step pattern reduces small scintillation and accentuates clarity windows and facet mirrors. Standard enhancement, typically oiling, can slightly alter surface refractive contrasts and reduce the visibility of inclusions, contributing to a smoother face up appearance and improved light transmission. Pleochroism, inherent to some emeralds, subtly affects how the color and reflections shift when the stone is viewed from different angles, whereas higher dispersion gems show color breakup into spectral hues rather than a shift in body color.

From a practical perspective for setting and wear, the reflective characteristics of this 0.99 carat Asscher emerald make it particularly suited to settings that emphasize face up color and measured facet reflections. The Asscher geometry favors bezel and semi bezel settings where the step facets can present broad luminous planes to the viewer, but it also translates well into open prong designs where light can enter and accentuate the hall of mirrors effect. Given the very slightly included clarity at eye level and the standard enhancement, routine maintenance with appropriate care for emeralds will preserve the polish and ensure consistent reflective behavior. Avoidance of harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning is recommended, and periodic professional inspection will maintain the integrity of any filling or surface treatments. As supplied by The Natural Emerald Company, and supported by the C. Dunaigre certification, this emerald represents a measured balance of color, clarity, cut, and polish, producing a distinctive reflective signature that emphasizes saturated green color and controlled facet reflections rather than overt brilliance.