6.68 Ct. Emerald from Zambia

This emerald began its journey deep within the copper rich soils of Zambia, formed over millions of years as beryllium bearing fluids met chromium and vanadium bearing host rocks, yielding the green crystalline structure distinctive of Zambian emeralds. Recovered through careful artisanal and mechanized extraction methods, the rough material was transported to a local sorting facility where experienced graders assessed color saturation, clarity characteristics, and rough dimensions. The piece selected for further cutting exhibited an unusually transparent body with rich green tones, a balance of hue and saturation that made it a prime candidate for precision cutting. Initial cleaning removed surface clays and coatings, allowing a clearer evaluation of internal features and inclusions, and the rough was photographed and documented to establish traceability from mine to market.

The transparent oval that emerged after cutting is a 6.68 carat gem, with finished dimensions of 14.40 x 11.60 x 6.95 mm, and a mixed brilliant cut chosen to optimize both depth and table reflection while preserving weight. The cutter made deliberate decisions to orient the pavilion and crown facets to maximize the vivid color intensity and to distribute light evenly, resulting in pleasing brilliance for an emerald of this type. Clarity is graded very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which indicates the presence of minor internal features that do not materially detract from the visual performance of the stone. The polish work is excellent, producing crisp facet junctions and a smooth, reflective surface that enhances transparency and color. As is standard for many emeralds, the enhancement is standard, applied with care to improve appearance while maintaining stability, and the overall finishing followed exacting lapidary standards to ensure a durable and attractive gem.

From the cutter the emerald moved to quality assurance and certification, where gemological testing confirmed origin as Zambia, verified weight and dimensions, and recorded color intensity, clarity grading, cut style, and enhancement type. Each step of handling was documented by The Natural Emerald Company to provide buyers with a clear provenance trail, and the gem was photographed under standardized lighting conditions for accurate representation. In our workshop the stone underwent a final inspection, including measurements of table and depth relationships and an assessment for setting suitability, ensuring that jewelers can design secure and complementary settings that respect the stone dimensions and facet layout. The finished piece is ideal for a refined solitaire or a classic three stone setting, where the mixed brilliant cut will interact with mounting metal to emphasize the vivid green hue.

The Natural Emerald Company offers this emerald with transparent records of its journey, from Zambian mine to finished gemstone, and provides guidance on care and setting to preserve its quality. As with all natural emeralds, routine maintenance includes gentle cleaning with a soft brush and mild detergent, avoidance of prolonged exposure to extreme heat, and professional inspection of any setting to maintain security of the stone. For collectors and designers who prioritize documented provenance and lapidary integrity, this 6.68 carat oval emerald represents a well preserved example of Zambian material, combining vivid color intensity, excellent polish, and a clarity grade that balances natural character with visual appeal. The narrative of its journey is recorded and available upon request, reflecting our commitment to transparency, responsible sourcing, and technical precision in bringing exceptional natural emeralds to the market.