Chatham Emerald Crystal Cluster - 18.680 cts!

Description

Chatham Emerald Crystal Cluster
This is the heart of Carroll Chatham's legacy.
One of the largest Chatham Emerald Crystals is housed in the Smithsonian.
These beautiful emeralds are perfect for museums, fine mineral collectors, and hobbyists.
Own a piece of San Francisco!
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Weight:
18.680
carats
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Here's your chance to own an exquisite Chatham Emerald Crystal Cluster.
These crystals were cut into facetable material in the past, but they have earned their place in the finest mineral collections in the world.
This cluster would make a beautiful addition to any Chatham collection!
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Compare to natural emeralds
Chemically and structurally the same as natural emeralds
Hardness:      7 1/2 - 8
Clarity:            most have the
jardin
(garden) found in natural emeralds.
Also, natural emeralds are almost always oiled to achieve more clarity.
Our emeralds are NEVER oiled
or enhanced in any way!
Color:             generally a deep emerald green
The original lab-created emeralds
Though many types of gemstones have been produced in laboratories to date, most notably sapphires and rubies, some of the finest were developed by a man named Carroll Chatham of San Francisco, California. In fact, up until the 1990s, his laboratory produced some of the most beautiful gems known to the industry. That San Francisco laboratory, now closed, is the source of our emerald clusters, crystals and rough. The production of these emeralds has remained a family secret, and they are unlikely to ever again be produced. The process is costly and dangerous. So when you buy from us, you are purchasing an investment that can only increase in value and rarity.
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A word about lab-created gems
All gems and minerals are a combination of atomic molecules that bond to form a specific chemical structure. Gems that are created in a lab should not be confused with materials that mimic or imitate natural stones, with shapes, colors, and structures that appear to be, but are not, the original material. Sometimes called synthetic, lab-created gems have the same chemical structure and composition as those found in nature, usually with some additional variation so that they can be distinguished from the natural. This variation allows the new gem to be identified as lab created, often to the specific lab it was grown in.
The first successful commercial process for creating material is known as the Verneuil or flame fusion process. Chemicals are introduced into a chamber, heated to an intense degree, and allowed to “melt” together to form what is known as boule. Today, this process is performed at many worldwide labs, the best-known in Switzerland, where the process was developed.
We offer flame fusion boule in a variety of colors on eBay. See our other sales.
Another process is called hydrothermal. This process imitates the natural conditions of intense heat and pressure that form many of the gems that are found around the world. There have been many beautiful gems produced in this way.
A third process is called the flux method, by which chemicals are brought together in a sort of “soup” at extreme heat and allowed to form into crystalline structures over a long period of time. This is perhaps the most expensive and time-consuming process as these gems are grown in platinum crucibles and require constant monitoring and controlled heat. It is under these conditions that our emerald clusters and crystals came into being.
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We combine shipping if you purchase more than one item at a time.
We also give a 10% discount on orders of five items or more.
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Domestic orders over 0 will be insured as allowed by postal regulations at no additional charge to buyer.
International packages will be sent First Class Mail unless otherwise agreed.
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And don’t forget that we also sell Chatham Blue, Pink, Clear, and Padparadscha Sapphire Crystals, Chatham Ruby Crystals, Chatham Emerald (crystals, clusters, and rough), synthetic Swiss corundum half-boules for faceting (Ruby Pink #1, Ruby Light Rose #3, Ruby Med. Rose #4, Ruby Dark Rose #5, and Padparadscha #55), and Benitoite (a rare blue fluorescent gem from San Benito County, California) as well as many other fine items.
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*Product disclaimer:
Please note that this website, its owners, and these gems are not affiliated with Chatham
®
Created Gems which is managed by Tom Chatham, one of Carroll Chatham’s sons. Chatham
®
Created Gems is a registered trademark, and cannot be legally used to describe the emeralds we sell.
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