Natural Emerald (Zamurd) Stone in Pakistan

The gem itself

Emerald is beryl coloured green by chromium and vanadium, which makes it a sister of aquamarine. It measures 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, yet the tiny natural fissures most emeralds carry make it more brittle than that number suggests, so it needs a little more care than a sapphire.

Four questions to ask about any emerald

1. How good is the green? A vivid pure green, or one leaning very slightly blue, that is neither too dark nor washed out, earns the top rate. Colour drives price more than anything else.
2. How clean is it? Nearly every natural emerald has inclusions, called the "jardin" or garden. They are expected, but the less you see, the more the stone is worth.
3. Has it been treated? Most emeralds are oiled or resin-filled to hide fine fissures. Light oiling is standard practice; heavy filling pulls the value down.
4. Where is it from, and how big? Famous sources carry a premium, and the per-carat rate climbs fast for larger, cleaner stones.

Each listing shows the price of that one emerald; divide by carat weight for its per-carat rate.

Swat, Colombia, Zambia, Brazil

Swat emerald from Pakistan is loved for its bright, lively green and is mostly found in smaller sizes. Colombian stones are famous for a pure, warm green and sit at the top of the market. Zambian emerald often shows a deeper, slightly bluish green with good clarity, and Brazilian material tends to be lighter and more affordable. If we know the origin, the listing names it.

Telling natural Zamurd from copies

Green glass, lab-grown emerald and doublets (two pieces glued together) are all sold as emerald in markets. A perfectly clean stone at a low price, round gas bubbles, or a join line visible from the side should all make you cautious. Natural emerald usually shows a soft inner garden and a velvety depth of colour. For an expensive stone, independent lab testing is worth it; our authenticity page explains how we check what we list.

Zamurd in tradition

Emerald is the May birthstone. In Vedic astrology panna is the stone of Mercury (Budh), linked with intellect, memory and clear speech, which is why students and business people often ask for it. It is traditionally set in gold or silver and worn on the little finger, usually on a Wednesday. These are traditions, not guaranteed results, so speak to an astrologer about weight and finger if that is your reason for buying.

Caring for emerald

Keep it away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners, hot water and harsh chemicals, all of which can draw out oil and open fissures. Wipe it with a soft damp cloth and avoid hard knocks.

Buying emerald from Authentic Gems

We check every emerald before listing it, and the stone in the photos is the one you get. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 by insured, tracked courier: Karachi usually 1 to 2 working days, Lahore, Islamabad and other major cities 2 to 4, smaller towns up to about 7. Pay Cash on Delivery after opening the parcel and checking the stone, and under our return policy you have 7 days to send back an unused stone.