Emerald Comparison - Natural vs. Chatham Lab-Grown

With its distinct green color, emeralds have long been held as symbols of rebirth and linked to the spring season.

Ancient Egypt is home to the first known emerald mines, and Cleopatra is the OG emerald fanatic. Claiming to be the reincarnation of the Egyptian goddess, Isis (Caesar would later erect a golden statue of Cleopatra as Isis in a Roman temple), Cleopatra’s passion for emeralds wasn’t just skin deep: she believed emeralds had healing powers, as well as properties of fertility and rebirth. (Photo of untreated Ethiopian emeralds by Robison McMurtry, courtesy of Michael Nemeth Inc.)

While Egyptians linked emeralds with healing abilities and fertility, Ottoman sultans believed they imparted faithfulness and unchanging love on its wearer. The green gemstone was also thought to invigorate the body, calm the mind, imbue wisdom upon its wearer, and even bestow the ability to see the future. In a way, the mystical fascination with Cleopatra parallels a historical fascination of emeralds.

Click here to read more and to see if you can spot the visual differences between natural and lab-grown emerald!