Gold purity is measured in karats, while platinum purity is measured in parts per thousand.

• 24 Carat Gold is pure yellow gold.
• 18 Carat Yellow Gold is made by combining three parts pure yellow gold with one part copper and silver alloy.
• 18 Carat White Gold is made by combining three parts pure yellow gold with one part palladium and silver alloy.
• Platinum 950 is made by combining 95% pure platinum with 5% alloying metals for strength and durability.

Carat in relation to gemstones is the measurement of their weight.

• 1 Gram = 5 Carats.
• 1 Carat is further subdivided into 100 points.

Refers to the symmetry, proportions and polish of an Emerald and greatly influences its color, brilliance, visibility of inclusions, weight retention and overall beauty.

Depends on the form of the rough Emerald. The precise shape will vary according to the Emerald’s natural characteristics, the cutter’s experience and the qualities the cutter wishes to preserve.

The Pear Shape is a modified brilliant cut combining the graceful curves of an Oval with the defined point of a Marquise. Its elegant teardrop outline and carefully arranged facets produce lively brilliance and flashes of green fire while maximizing the Emerald’s visual size.

• Color: Lee Wasson subjectively classifies Colombian Emeralds into three principal hues of green: Herb Green, Blue Green and Golden Green.
• Tone: Lee Wasson subjectively grades the depth of each hue from (1), the lightest, to (10), the darkest.

Every Colombian Emerald’s color is unique. Its evaluation is subjective and requires years of experience, continuous viewing and comparison.

Inclusions are internal characteristics or foreign materials within an Emerald’s crystalline structure.

Lee Wasson subjectively estimates the quantity of inclusions as:

• (*) Free of Inclusions.
• (*) Lightly Included 1 to 3.
• (*) Moderately Included 1 to 3.
• ( ) Highly Included 1 to 3.
• (*) Asterisk denotes desirability.

Every inclusion in a Colombian Emerald is unique. Its evaluation is subjective and requires years of experience, continuous viewing and comparison.

Lee Wasson subjectively determines brilliance as the approximate percentage of light returned to the observer through internal reflections.

Window: The approximate percentage of light that passes through the bottom or sides of the Emerald.

Extinction: The approximate percentage of dark areas within the Emerald.

Lee Wasson subjectively evaluates these optical characteristics. Every Colombian Emerald is individually cut according to its natural characteristics, and its evaluation requires years of experience, continuous observation and comparison.

• Colombia
• Brazil
• Sandawana
• Afghanistan
• Russia
• India
• Pakistan
• North Carolina
• Zambia
• Ethiopia

Muzo Emeralds are renowned for their rich green color—the color many people imagine when they think of a fine Colombian Emerald. The finest examples combine attractive crystal, depth and exceptional presence, qualities that have made Muzo the world’s most celebrated Emerald mine. Color alone does not distinguish Muzo from Chivor; their natural inclusions help reveal the difference.

Inclusions are internal characteristics or foreign materials within an Emerald’s crystalline structure.

Lee Wasson subjectively estimates the quantity of inclusions as:

• (*) Free of Inclusions.
• (*) Lightly Included 1 to 3.
• (*) Moderately Included 1 to 3.
• ( ) Highly Included 1 to 3.
• (*) Asterisk denotes desirability.

Types of Inclusions:

Three-phase inclusions consist of a gas bubble, liquid and a crystal enclosed within the Emerald.

Pyrite, calcite, quartz, parisite, albite, dolomite and shale may also be present and can provide conclusive evidence of natural origin.

Every inclusion in a Colombian Emerald is unique. Its evaluation is subjective and requires years of experience, continuous viewing and comparison.

Formed naturally within the earth.

A man-made material with essentially the same physical, optical and chemical properties as its natural counterpart.

Lee Wasson identifies surface-reaching inclusions susceptible to enhancement and subjectively estimates the degree of treatment as:

• (*) None.
• (*) Minor.
• (*) Moderate.
• ( ) Significant.
• (*) Asterisk denotes desirability.

Clarity enhancement is normally present unless otherwise specified.

Colombian Emeralds commonly contain surface-reaching inclusions that may be filled with colorless oils or permanent resins to diminish their visibility and improve the passage of light through the stone.

Carat in relation to gemstones is the measurement of their weight.

• 1 Gram = 5 Carats.
• 1 Carat is further subdivided into 100 points.