Two Very Good Quality Antique Genuine Natural Siberian Faceted Emerald Ovals.

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Emerald Ovals.

ORIGIN: The Ural Mountains (Siberia), Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 3mm. Width: 2mm. Depth: 1 1/2mm. All measurements approximate

WEIGHT: 0.15 carats (combined weight).

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstone as a ring, pendant, or into earrings.

DETAIL: Two very nice, near eye clean or eye clean, beautifully colored natural emerald precious gemstones from the Southern Urals of (Siberia) Russia, hand faceted into sparkling ovals in the 19th century. Emeralds are nearly 100 times rarer than diamonds, and there are few opportunities to acquire good quality natural emeralds at reasonable prices. The best specimens can bring over $40,000 a carat. Unfortunately most transparent "emeralds" sold even by the largest and most reputable retailers in the United States are synthetic (read the fine print; and the same is true of rubies and sapphires). However Russia has produced good quality emerald for centuries from the region of Siberia. Why would you buy synthetic emeralds at the mall when you can have the real thing?

Most commonly emeralds are included with various bits and pieces known as "jardin", French for "garden". Most emeralds literally have a garden of inclusions, and most emeralds consequentially are not transparent as are these, rather they are merely translucent. These particular precious gemstones possess the crystal clear green color characteristic of good quality emeralds, and are more or less transparent, but they are not entirely flawless. True, the blemishes they possess are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and the gemstones can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "near eye clean" or "eye clean". Notwithstanding close scrutiny they simply appear to be pleasing colorful and transparent, albeit diminutive emeralds.

The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstones have been hand-faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century faceting is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones. However magnified five times over as they are here, you can see significant imperfections (included material) both within the gemstones and occasional irregularities in the cut and finish.

These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques prevalent did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so common today. Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of semi-precious gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible. So antique gemstone must be appreciated as antiques first, and as gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones mined from deep beneath the earth's surface were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. But for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large are only visible under magnification.

HISTORY: Emeralds were amongst the earliest gemstones traded by mankind, since the 5th millennium B.C. Prominent in ancient Babylon's gemstone markets, one of the earliest source for these precious gemstones were Egyptian emerald mines near the Red Sea, first worked in the 3rd millennium B.C. The Greeks worked the same mines from the time Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. The last ruler of the Greek Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt, Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, was often depicted and described wearing fabulous emeralds. The remains of "Cleopatra's Mines" were discovered in 1817 near Aswan on the Red Sea coastline. Emeralds were also quite favored in the Roman Empire, especially by Roman Emperors. Emerald mines in upper Egypt provided medieval and Renaissance Europe with emeralds up through the 16th century. Emeralds were the most prized of the Russian Crown Jewels during the centuries long-rule of successive Russian Czars. Though the world's best emeralds are generally regarded as being Colombian, emeralds are also produced in Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, India, throughout Africa, and in North Carolina. Russian Siberian emerald production is notable for the very large specimens unearthed, albeit of lower quality.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".