Different Types of Emeralds (Panna) Stone

The strength and the influence of generous green-colored Emerald Stones over acquiring good health, wealth, and prosperity is encrypted even in ancient Vedic texts. Emeralds contain the concentrated energies to influence the planet Mercury or Lord Budh, thereby making the life of the native better from all perspectives. These natural gems are simply driven to inculcate positive vibes and bring wisdom in order to meet your financial goals. Emeralds are said to be the birthstone of May Month, making it the lucky mascot for the people born in the month of May.


Emeralds are rich green-colored stones from the family of mineral Beryl. The green color is mainly due to the availability of Chromium and Vanadium besides other elements. The presence of these elements determines the color density of the stone. The stone is available in many different types of varieties depending upon their color, texture, quality, clarity, and country of origin. Besides being a beautiful precious stone, an Emerald, also popularly known as Panna stone, plays an important role in Vedic astrology. Today, here in this write-up we will study the different varieties of this natural green stone, focusing mainly on the basis of origin. Let us begin with the basics.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Panna is a cyclosilicate. The general chemical formula of this stone is (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) or Be3Al2Si6O18. Since Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, so is the Panna. Thus, their toughness is generally classified as poor. It holds trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium that renders it the famous green hue. When it comes to color, an emerald is available in different colors, from light green to dark and deep green. The stones which are available in deep green color and carry profound clarity are considered superior and of the finest quality.

History of Panna Stone

The history of Emerald stones is very old and dates back to the time of the Egyptian and Roman empires. The famous historical figure Cleopatra is said to be highly fond of this gorgeous green gem. Apart from this, many eminent historical figures are known to have used the emerald stones extensively.

Different Kind of Emerald Stones

Emerald deposits are found in many parts of the world. Though, in some countries, they are found copiously and are of the finest quality. While some produce limited quantities. The overall quality varies in color, shape, size, and other features. Let's have a look at different types of Panna Stones based on their origins.

  1. Swat Emeralds

swat emerald

The Swat Emeralds are exceptionally​ known for their remarkable color, glow, transparency, and luster. Also known by the name Pakistan Emeralds, Swat Panna comes from Swat valley and is the most premium quality of Emeralds found worldwide. This category of emerald is known for its unique appearance and superior quality. Swat Emeralds are well recognized for their deep green color, crystal clear transparency, and distinguish smoothness. Although these are not found in abundant quantities and are extremely rare, henceforth quite expensive in terms of money.

2. Panjshir Emerald

The next best Emeralds are found in Afghanistan. The Emeralds found here are of supreme quality due to color and clarity. The Panjshir Panna is found in the famous Panjshir Valley of Afghanistan. These are again among some of the finest quality Emeralds that are found in the world. The color of these stones is a unique bluish-green. The stones exhibit a beautiful green color with a very light tint of blue hue. With the extraordinary color, Panjshir Emerald can surpass the quality of any other green stones from any other region.

3. Ethiopian​ Emeralds

Ethiopian emerald stones arise in a vibrant green hue that ranges from intense medium-light green with a slight bluish overtone. This exclusive class contributes around 2% of the total world’s annual emerald supply. Alike other emeralds, Ethiopian’s also contain natural inclusions but are considerably translucent. Besides attractive luster, they often come with the minimum visible flaws and fair transparency. These roughs usually appear dull but they display a vitreous luster after fine cut and polish. Mines of the Ethiopia region are currently operating under tight restrictions, due to excessive extraction.

4. Colombian Emerald

The Colombian Emeralds​ are famous worldwide. The well-revered deposit of the Colombian Emeralds is the Muzo Mine. The Muzo Mine is located in the northwest of Bogota and the Emeralds found here are considered to be of the finest quality with deep green hues. Another mine located close to Bogota is Chivor Mine which yields excellent quality Emerald roughs. Colombia is the global leader in extracting and supplying the most promising quality of Panna Stone. The Colombian Panna are obtained in their natural states, hence the appearance of the stones is quite rough. The Emeralds found here are of varying colors such as intense deep green color, dark green color, dark bluish-green color, etc. All​ the Emeralds obtained from Colombia are dark and intense green which is a rare occurrence, thereby making the Colombian Stones stand out different from others in terms of excellence and quality.

5. Zambia Emerald

The deposits of Emeralds in East African countries are on rising and increasing quantities in the mines have been found in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Also known as Natural African Panna, the quality and color of these stones vary and are slightly lesser than the Colombian Emeralds​. The most common color of the East African Emeralds is bluish-green. The Zambia Emeralds are deep green like that of Colombian Emeralds but with a bluish-green hue. The quality of these stones is considered very good. The Zimbabwe Emeralds are small in size and intense green in color with yellow undertones.

6. Brazilian Emeralds

The major deposits of Brazilian Emeralds are located in the mines of Minas Gerais Bahia and Goiás. Many new deposits are yet to be discovered in Brazil and are in progress since 1980. Though most of their stones are not of that premium quality, Brazil delivers some fine quality of emeralds. The color of the Brazilian Emeralds is lighter than the Colombian Emerald and varies from yellow-green to normal-green in color. These stones generally do not have any inclusions in them. The emerald can be cut to give the stone a stunning shine. The Emeralds from Brazil also comprises Cat's Eye Emerald and six-spoke star Emeralds​.

7. Red Emerald

Also known as red beryl, this is one of the world's rarest varieties of Emerald gemstones. It is located only at one place in the whole world i.e., on the eastern slope of the Wah Wah Mountain range that lies in the Utah region of the USA. Another Emerald mine in the US is found in North Carolina. It is the only Emerald mine that is open to the public. These US Emeralds are very rare and are light green in color.

8. No Oil Emerald

These are very rare spices of emeralds that are found. Being rare, the value of the stone is extremely high and is highly favored for astrological and jewelry collection purposes. In general, all the emeralds are slightly illusioned to a small or large extent and the quality of these stones is improved and maintained via oiling or treatments. However, No-oil Emerald stones do not have any cracks or fractures on their surfaces, thereby hindering the entry of any foreign material such as oil or resin. They are wholly natural and clean and henceforth are not enhanced by any kind of oils treatment, which makes them exclusively precious.

Benefits of Wearing Emeralds


Besides contributing to making staggering pieces of jewelry, these stones are also beneficial for astrological and health purposes such as:-


  • People who don Natural Emerald stones have a peaceful and harmonious married life.

  • The stone helps in clearing the mind of any sort of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, stress, etc.

  • The wearer of the stone is blessed with spiritual​ healing and the person attracts positive energy from the surroundings​.

  • The native wearing the Panna Ratna is also able to overcome various financial and personal obstacles.

  • For astrological purposes, this stone is worn by people who have weak Mercury or Budh Grah. The stone helps in enhancing the power and position of the Mercury planet of the native which endows the person with good health, wisdom, prosperity, creative skills, and blissful marital life​.


Note:- No matter what type or origin you are choosing, any astrological gemstone benefits at its best potential only when worn by the right person in the correctly prescribed manner. In general, astrologers recommend Wednesday as the best day to wear this generous green stone. Study the entire How to Wear a Panna Stone in our previous write-up. Also, find out if you are a suitable ascendant of this gem or not in Who Should Wear Emerald.

Buy Natural Emerald Online

Whatever it is Panjshir Emerald or No-oil Emerald, make sure that you are buying a genuine variety of this beautiful green stone from a trusted gemstone store like Navratan, the online gem Bazar that provides you only original and lab-tested gemstones at the most reasonable price. Here you will get a certificate of authenticity from the world’s renowned gemstones testing laboratories such as GIA, GRS, and Gubelin.