1.46 Ct. Emerald from Zambia

This pear shaped green emerald weighs 1.46 carats, and measures 9.49 by 5.84 by 4.87 millimeters, presenting an elegant teardrop silhouette that balances length and width for versatile mounting. The stone is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, with a precision oriented brilliant style crown that maximizes scintillation, and a carefully calculated pavilion that maintains depth of tone while minimizing windowing. Facet junctions are crisp and symmetrical, the table alignment is true to the axis, and the girdle thickness is consistent for secure setting, all contributing to an excellent polish that delivers lively light return and crisp facet delineation. Optical behavior is characteristic of emerald, with a refractive index range within the expected values for beryl, and a subtle pleochroism that displays complementary bluish green and slightly yellowish green tones as the stone is tilted, reinforcing the vivid color intensity that defines this example. The combination of cut proportions and surface finish has been optimized to present saturation and brilliance in equal measure, preserving weight while enhancing visual performance under both direct and diffused lighting.

What gives this emerald its unmistakable signature is a constellation of internal features that read like a fingerprint to a practiced eye. At face up view the stone exhibits an internal garden of minute, oriented crystal inclusions and delicate feathering, interspersed with small three phase pockets that include gas, liquid, and tiny crystal fragments, creating localized flashes of sparkling contrast when struck by light. These inclusions are not deleterious, they are diagnostic, they scatter and refract light in a way that creates depth and vitality, and they are arranged in a manner that accentuates the pear shape, guiding the eye along the length of the gem. Under magnification the inclusions reveal fine laminar growth patterns and thin healed fissures that have been uniformly sealed during the standard enhancement process, resulting in a clean eye appearance evaluated at very slightly included when viewed at typical inspection distances. The distribution and orientation of these inclusions produce internal reflections that enhance the perceived saturation, a feature especially prized in Zambian material which often displays a lively, grassy green hue. These natural internal structures are consistent with untreated formation textures, and they imbue the gem with an identity that cannot be replicated by synthetic analogs.

The enhancement is standard, applied judiciously to fill minor fissures and stabilize surface reaching features, preserving the integrity of the internal signature while improving transparency and surface continuity. This is consistent with trade practice for high quality emeralds, and it allows the vivid color intensity to present without the distraction of open fractures, while remaining compatible with routine maintenance and inspection. Origin is Zambia, and the stone exhibits the typical saturation and tonal balance associated with that source, a strong yet pure green that sits squarely in the vivid category. For the wearer and for the setter, the mixed brilliant execution offers strong scintillation on the crown for daytime sparkle, with measured depth through the pavilion to maintain color under varied lighting, making it suitable for both solitaire and halo designs. At The Natural Emerald Company we document these attributes carefully, including dimensions, carat weight, cut style, clarity grade, and enhancement notes, to provide a transparent benchmark for appraisal and insurance. This emerald presents as a collector grade yet wearable gem, its unique inclusion pattern serving as a natural signature, and its technical proportions and finish reflecting skilled lapidary planning, making it an exceptional candidate for bespoke settings that seek to celebrate material authenticity and optical performance.