1.61 Ct. Emerald from Zambia

From the slow, patient chemistry of the earth to the careful hands that bring a gem to life, this emerald begins its story deep beneath the Zambian soil. Over millions of years, beryllium rich fluids met chromium and vanadium bearing rocks, and under heat and pressure a crystalline miracle took shape. Miners working by lantern and light in Zambia coaxed this crystal from its matrix, the rough bearing the marks of its subterranean birth. At The Natural Emerald Company we hold a deep respect for that origin story, we listen to the whispers of the stone, and we share those whispers with you. When you hold this 1.61 carat emerald, you are holding a fragment of geological time, a green that carries the memory of rivers and ores, of the particular light that filters through Zambian skies.

This particular gem is a transparent asscher octagon, measuring 6.65 by 6.64 by 5.03 millimeters, a compact and elegant presence with a beautiful table. Its asscher cut gives it clean step facets and a cropped square silhouette that plays with light in a distinctive way, offering mirror like flashes and a clear window to the gem’s interior. Evaluated at eye level it is slightly included, a grade that speaks to natural identity rather than perfection, and it displays a medium intense green color intensity that is alive and balanced. The polish on this stone is excellent, each facet refined to a smooth, reflective surface that enhances the gem’s luster. The enhancement is standard, a careful oiling or resin filling that many connoisseurs prefer because it stabilizes the stone and brings out the depth of color without changing its essential nature.

The journey from rough to finished gem is a practice in respect and decision making, and the cutter of this emerald chose the asscher step cut for very deliberate reasons. Step facets allow color to saturate evenly, they emphasize tone over flashy dispersion, and they create the elegant concentric shimmer that an asscher offers. In the cutting process weight retention was balanced with optical performance, preserving the 1.61 carat presence while achieving symmetry and a pleasing table that lets the medium intense green breathe. The octagonal outline softens the square asscher geometry, lending the gem a timeless, architectural character that works beautifully in modern and vintage inspired settings. The excellent polish amplifies the stone’s transparency, so that the slight inclusions become part of the gem’s fingerprint, proof of its natural origin and a unique hallmark that no man made replica can reproduce.

When it comes to durability, this emerald is made for thoughtful daily wear, the story continuing from the mine to the wearer. Emerald is a variety of beryl, and on the Mohs scale it sits comfortably high, offering good resistance to scratches and abrasion, and the standard enhancement that has been applied helps to stabilize surface reaching fissures, improving toughness and resilience. Slightly included at eye level, this stone benefits from careful setting choices that enhance longevity, and when set by a skilled jeweler it will be ready to accompany you through everyday life. For daily rings and pendants we recommend protective settings that shield the girdle and corners, options such as a low bezel, a partial bezel, or a halo of accent stones, and for prong settings using rounded and secure prongs will minimize exposure to knocks. Basic care will keep the gem luminous, gentle cleaning with warm water and mild soap, soft brushes for crevices, avoiding ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and removing the jewelry during vigorous tasks will all preserve the stone. Periodic checks at The Natural Emerald Company or with your jeweler, and occasional professional reapplication of a gentle, appropriate dressing if desired, will ensure this emerald continues to look alive and stable for years.

To wear this emerald is to continue its journey, to place a piece of Zambian earth against your skin and let its history become part of your own. Its medium intense green is versatile, pairing with warm golds and cool whites, and the asscher octagon silhouette reads as both modern and heirloom, a stone that can be worn every day and passed along as a story. At The Natural Emerald Company we stand behind the gem’s provenance, the craftsmanship that shaped it, and the careful enhancement that makes it ready to wear. If you would like, we can advise on settings that best protect and showcase this 1.61 carat asscher octagon, provide certification details, and recommend design ideas that suit your lifestyle. This emerald is more than a jewel, it is a bridge between the deep time of geology and the present moment of your life, and with proper care it will accompany you with color, character, and a quiet, enduring strength.