Emeralds too have an important role in our company’s history.
During the late 1970s, members of the Israeli Precious Stones Exchange sent me to examine rough emeralds which were being mined in Zambia.
I took some of my gemological instruments and spent over a year evaluating rough that had been mined in the area between Kitwee and Ndola, in an area called Kamakanga.
Most of the rough was natural. However, I identified quite a few pieces of pure green glass in the parcels which puzzled me to say the least!
After spending a significant number of weeks in Zambia, the reason for this phenomenon became clear to me!
I noticed that in Zambia there were no green lights in what was supposed to be the standard red/yellow/green traffic lights as used worldwide!
Locals were removing and crushing these glasses in order to mix them with the rough! How better to enhance their rough?
Most of the natural rough was highly included and of a dark green color, however some of the crystals had an amazing clarity combined with a super fine green color.
The color was unlike the Colombian and Brazilian emerald green color, which the world industry was accustomed to and familiar with.
These gems had a distinct bluish-green color, which, initially, some dealers did not like… However, within a few years those emeralds conquered a substantial part of the world emerald market.
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Emerald is a variety of beryl, a beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate mineral (Be3Al2(SiO3)6), occurring in various shades of green and is one of the most valuable stones found in nature.
LEGEND AND LORE
Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and the gemstone representing the 20th, 35th, and 55th wedding anniversaries.
From the very dawn of history, it has been coveted and worshipped.
Emeralds were once prescribed for eye diseases and were attributed to improve weak eyesight because the green color was believed to be soothing to the eyes. Emeralds were known to strengthen the owner's memory, quicken intelligence, and assist in predicting the future, and also known as a symbol of rebirth and romance.
Emerald was credited with amazing powers against wickedness and deceit, and was even thought to be capable of blinding and killing snakes.
EMERALD SOURCES
The most important sources of emerald today are: Columbia, Brazil, and Zambia, some emeralds are still sourced in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Russia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Menahem Sevdermish, F.G.A, President