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.

Trapiche or Fixed-Star Colombian Emeralds develop a natural six-rayed pattern as they form deep within the earth. Unlike an optical star that moves with the light, this pattern remains permanently fixed within the Emerald.

This Emerald was carefully sliced across the crystal to reveal and preserve its distinctive natural star.

• Color: Lee Wasson subjectively classifies Colombian Emeralds into three principal hues of green: Herb Green, Blue Green and Golden Green.
• Tone: The depth of each hue, subjectively graded 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 observation and comparison.

The dark, carbon-rich lutite forming the six-rayed pattern is an integral part of the Emerald’s natural crystalline growth and makes every Trapiche Emerald completely unique.

Light passes through the green crystal while the natural fixed-star pattern remains clearly visible, creating the distinctive appearance prized in fine Trapiche Emeralds.

• 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 natural characteristics or foreign materials within an Emerald’s crystalline structure.

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

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

Every Colombian Emerald contains a unique arrangement of inclusions. Their evaluation is subjective and requires years of experience, continuous observation 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 clarity enhancement and subjectively evaluates the amount of treatment present as:

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

Clarity enhancement is generally present unless otherwise specified.

Colombian Emeralds may contain surface-reaching inclusions that are traditionally filled with colorless oils or permanent epoxy resins to reduce 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.