9.91 Ct. Emerald from Afghanistan

This offering from The Natural Emerald Company is a transparent GIA certified emerald weighing 9.91 carat, presented in a cushion shape with precise measurements of 13.64 millimeters, 13.25 millimeters, and 8.39 millimeters. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, chosen to balance weight retention with optimal light performance, and the stone exhibits a vivid color intensity with excellent polish. Clarity is graded slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which is consistent with fine natural emerald material, and the enhancement is standard, reflecting customary and stable clarity enhancement practices. The origin is Afghanistan, a source known for producing deeply saturated green material, and the GIA report that accompanies the stone documents the gemological characteristics and provenance, providing independent verification of quality and authenticity.

The faceting architecture of this cushion shaped emerald has been executed to emphasize color saturation while maintaining scintillation, the mixed brilliant approach combining faceting concepts from both step and brilliant paradigms. The crown facet arrangement provides a sufficiently sized table to admit light, while the pavilion facet set is calibrated to return light through the crown with balanced contrast and fire for colored stones. The cutter preserved an ample pavilion depth and moderate crown height to enhance internal color zoning and to avoid thin windows, a common compromise when retaining carat weight in large emerald crystals. Facet junctions are a key element for optical performance, and the excellent polish and precise facet symmetry contribute to even light distribution across the stone face and to the crispness of reflections when viewed under standard lighting.

Color is the defining attribute of this emerald, and its bold, rich green operates as a symbol of personal power and distinction as much as a gemological grade. In technical terms the hue sits in the pure to slightly bluish green quadrant with strong saturation and a medium deep tone, producing the vivid intensity noted on the certificate. The saturation is uniform across the table with minimal unevenness at the facet junctions, allowing the eye to read a continuous and immersive green field. Slight inclusions typical of natural emeralds are present, forming part of the internal fingerprint that assures natural origin, and these internal features have been managed by the cutting and standard enhancement to maximize visual appeal without compromising structure. The resulting color presence reads as authoritative in any lighting environment, projecting both depth and brilliance, and carrying a visual language of distinction appropriate for a high impact ring or pendant.

From a practical design and wear perspective this 9.91 carat cushion emerald is ideally suited to a bold solitaire or a classic halo that preserves the cushion silhouette while protecting the corners, and its dimensions make it especially suitable for statement rings that command presence without overwhelming proportion. Given the stone size and pavilion depth, settings that provide structural support at the girdle and at the corners will preserve integrity over time, and choices of high karat yellow gold, warm rose gold, or cool platinum will influence the perceived body color, with yellow gold intensifying warmth and platinum maintaining a crisp, modern contrast. The Natural Emerald Company stands behind the gemological documentation and the ethical sourcing of this Afghan emerald, and our team can provide the GIA report, additional calibrated photography, light performance imagery, and bespoke setting recommendations to suit technical preferences and design goals. This emerald combines measured craftsmanship, validated provenance, and a commanding color profile that functions both as a refined gemological specimen and as a wearable emblem of personal power and distinction.