Many of us know that emeralds are beautiful, valuable, and precious stones, but few of us know where they come from and how they are valued. In particular, many people don’t realize the distinction between Zambian emeralds and Colombian emeralds, or why this distinction even exists in the first place. So why exactly do Colombian emeralds sell for more than Zambian emeralds? Read on to find out!

Differences in appearance

Although it is best to buy emerald gemstones in person, where you can examine their appearance under different light sources, some buyers may not be able to do so. The color of the Zambian emerald is slightly darker than that of its counterparts; whereas, the Colombian emerald appears a bit greener. In terms of clarity, both types of gemstones have very few inclusions—making them both equally beautiful and valuable. Overall, differences between these two varieties of emerald lie mostly in terms of personal preference rather than quality.

Differences in quality

There are a number of differences between Zambian and Colombian emeralds. One of the most apparent (but not necessarily most important) is that Zambian emerald tends to have inclusions and imperfections, while Colombian emeralds tend to be more flawless. Generally speaking, fewer inclusions tend to result in higher quality gemstones. But when choosing between a pair of equally high-quality stones, overall beauty or fire is a better way to distinguish value than imperfections or lack thereof.

Differences in Value

Though value is subjective, in general, Zambian emeralds have higher market value than Colombian emeralds due to their limited availability and high demand. Both emerald types have a beautiful green hue with hints of blue and yellow when cut properly, but there are significant differences in how they look as rough stones and when polished. Even more striking is how differently they appear under different lighting conditions. On average, you can expect Zambian emerald quality to be slightly superior compared to its Colombian counterpart.

Which is better?

A lot of people ask which are better Zambian emeralds or Colombian emeralds. The short answer is, both. They’re two different varieties of emerald that grow in different regions of two continents. While a few less-informed jewelers may try to claim one is inferior to another, they’re just not comparable. The main difference between them is color and clarity. Zambian emeralds have a greenish tint while Colombian emeralds have more yellow hues.

Conclusion

The answer to what’s better, Zambian emerald or Colombian emerald? Is that it’s not as simple as one or another. The reality is, while some may say that Zambian emeralds are of a higher quality than their Colombian counterparts, others will argue that there isn’t much difference between them at all. The truth is that both stones are excellent choices for anyone looking to buy an emerald—but your choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you want out of your gemstone. Also, these both are perfect for gemstone beads jewelry.