Super Hot lot of Afghani Emerald Faceting Rough running a mostly Grassy Green color. This lot was brought to us at a very discounted price and we just had to add it to our list for a little variety. Most of the material is a bit small and ideally suited for commercial cutting; however, there are a few stones in here that are worth the price of the lot. The color on this material is good and it is well worth the investment.

We're blowing this out at a closeout price and we don't think you would be able to pick this material up at this price at the mines in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We are estimating that approximately 60%+ of this lot is Facet Rough; however, that is really dependent on the way you grade Emerald. Every cutter has his own understanding of this material. Overall I think this is a great deal for the lot and it is one of our best priced items.

1. Emeralds are mined in western Pakistan in the Swat area and in the Panjsher Valley in Afghanistan; however, there have been several new finds of Emerald in Afghanistan, 1 new find in Pakistan near the border with China (This sounds like a very significant find and we are hearing rumors of crystals as big as 6 inches coming out) and there is also a fairly new find of Emerald coming from Western China from the Xingjian Province. Afghan material is generally lighter, cleaner and considerably more lustrous while Swat material tends to be the better darker Green and Bluish Green color but lacks the Vibrancy of Afghan Emerald and the clarity.

2. Afghanistan is known to produce Emerald Nodules and these are as fabled as the old Kashmir Sapphires!