Manufacturers of paints and varnishes have clearly stated: it’s time to return to nature. Colors associated with nature will be a dominant trend in interior design this coming season. One of the closest colors is undoubtedly bright green - the color of trees and grass.
A unique shade of green is emerald - the color of precious stones, a little mysterious, a little extravagant, but always refined and captivating. Emerald kitchen furniture? Emerald living room? Or maybe emerald green tiles in the bathroom ? Let's find out how to create a composition with this original shade of green.
What does emerald color look like?
Emerald color comes from an intensely green gemstone - it is a rich and light color with a delicate blue tint, and its close relatives are in bottle green and sea green. Emerald only appeared in the color palette in the 16th century, and it gained its greatest popularity in the 19th century - it was adored by the Impressionists (Monet, Van Gogh or Cezanne), and could often be found as the color of walls and clothing.
At that time, this color was called Paris Green, Veronese Green or Imperial Green. Unfortunately, toxic arsenic was used to produce emerald dye, which caused poisoning in people who frequently came into contact with it - causing the color's popularity to decline. Nowadays, we certainly don't have to worry because all the paints and dyes used for textiles or wall painting are tested and non-toxic.
Therapeutic effect
When used correctly, the gem will help get rid of such health problems as:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- severe headaches;
- joint pathologies;
- ailments of the digestive system.
Using emerald, the central nervous system is stabilized. Using a crystal, you can eliminate mood swings and outbreaks of groundless anxiety. Water charged with it has a cleansing and antibacterial effect. This is especially true in the presence of skin diseases accompanied by irritation and inflammation.
We must not forget about the rejuvenating effect of the gem. It relieves fatigue, strengthens memory and invigorates. As a result of wearing the crystal, immunity increases, the state of mind normalizes, and signs of melancholy and depression disappear. An emerald can become a talisman for a pregnant woman. The stone improves overall well-being and strengthens the relationship between the child and the expectant mother.
The importance of emerald color
On the one hand, emerald is associated with elegance and luxury that only the best gemstones can provide, on the other hand, it is reminiscent of nature: lush grass, dense forests and deep sea. It symbolizes royalty, wealth and sophistication, as well as freshness, vitality and flower harmony . Ireland is called the Emerald Isle - it owes this name to the intense greenery that grows on it, including clover, considered a symbol of good luck. Therefore, deep green color can also be considered a sign of prosperity.
In color psychology, green supports creativity and creative work, stimulates optimism, a sense of energy and vitality, and conveys prestige and luxury. Therefore, it is worth “inviting” emerald into the living room, study, office and bathroom - even one small element of this color will create the impression of confidence and elegance in the interior.
Famous Gems
Many of the mined minerals stand out due to their size. For example, the Devonshire emerald is characterized by a weight that is 1,383.95 carats. The list of the largest specimens also includes:
- Bahia – 38 kg. Located in the USA, owner's name unknown;
- Mogul – 218 carats. Painted in a deep green shade. On one side there is a Muslim prayer inscribed, on the other there is a floral design;
- President – 5860 carats. Mined in the early 90s, named after B.N. Yeltsin;
- Buddha – 3600 carats. Used to create a statue of a deity. Today the product is located in Thailand;
- Kokovinsky – 2226 carats. The name was based on the surname of the stone cutter.
What does emerald color go with?
Emerald is a capricious color, so you must dose it skillfully. Neutral colors are a great setting for it - somewhat serious without being competitive . White will be a light and refreshing background. Light gray will help create a sense of balance, softness and calm, while dark gray will create an aura of self-control and wisdom.
Let's not be afraid to pair emerald with black or anthracite elements - both of these colors have a lot of elegance and mystery, so they can be the perfect company for a deep, ecstatic green. However, the most exquisite combination is a mixture of emerald and gold , the most royal of all colors - it will conquer the vibrancy of the green color and give it splendor.
Emerald green in the interior goes well with blue and pink - mostly in its pastel colors, but if you like extravagance, you can indulge in a little fuchsia or turquoise. Powdery pink brings sweetness, is associated with tenderness and love and creates an impression of warmth and tenderness.
Emerald will be an excellent counterbalance for him; it will protect him from immaturity and excess sweetness. Blue has calming properties, brings a dreamy mood, is associated with the sky and water - like no other color, when combined with greenery, it creates the impression of closeness to nature.
Emerald green should be introduced not only as a wall color, but also as accessories - sofas, armchairs, curtains or carpet. Let's pay attention to the nobility of materials and fabrics - their good quality and interesting textures will make emerald an even more sophisticated color. The unconditional hit of this season is velvet - soft and shimmering under the influence of light.
Many people don't trust this fabric because if it's low quality, it can look cheap and kitschy. However, it is worth giving it a chance and bringing it into your home, for example, in the covers of emerald armchairs , a sofa or even pillows. WOW effect guaranteed.
Emerald is also perfect as a tile color for kitchens and bathrooms . It will look great next to dark wood, as well as glass accessories such as vases, cake stand or fruit bowls.
Description
The word "emerald" is of Turkish origin. The mineral belongs to the class of silicates (beryl group). It is one of the “magnificent four” along with sapphire, diamond and ruby. The gem has a characteristic shine and an interesting green tint. The color is due to an admixture of iron (Fe2O3), vanadium oxide (V2O3) or chromium oxide (Cr2O3).
| Characteristic | Description |
| Chemical formula | Be3Al2Si6O18 |
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 537,50 |
| Density (g/cm3) | 2,69—2,78 |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 7,5—8,0 |
| singonia | Hexagonal |
| Cleavage | Imperfect |
| Selection form | Prismatic |
| Solubility | NaOH, KOH |
| Shine | Glass |
| Type | Uniaxial |
Crystals may contain natural inclusions.
Emeralds become discolored if the temperature exceeds 700°C.
Among the special properties are fragility. The mineral becomes more resistant to external factors.
To give the gem an attractive appearance, chemicals are used. Stones without defects are rare. The price of an emerald depends on its shade and transparency. A dark green gem with few imperfections will be worth more than a clear crystal of a lighter shade.
Emerald color on the walls
Emerald color on the walls your home could become a problem. After all, it is a very strong color that will instantly add character to the entire interior. Before making a decision, let's think about whether the room is spacious enough to “accommodate” such a bright color. In an interior that is too small, intensely green walls will quickly begin to tire and give the impression of nervousness. Secondly, are you brave enough to paint the entire room green, or would you rather make the emerald wall a strong focal point?
Emerald wall paint is the most obvious choice, but why not try adding a finish with an unusual texture? Fashionable this season, velvet is no longer just a textile item - now plush can appear on the walls thanks to special paint with a velvet effect. It is applied to plaster coated with primer and latex paint - you can use a brush, decorative roller, sponge, spatula or a special glove. Once dry, velvet paint subtly reflects light, creating the characteristic effect of plush fabrics - that's not all, as it also imitates their softness and smoothness.
Emerald green can also be introduced into our interiors through wallpaper . Those with an exotic leaf motif—palm, bamboo, or monstera—work well. The patterns can be small, but for a distinct effect, you can also get wall murals with large leaf designs that will bring a forest substitute to the room. For glamorous interiors, let's choose emerald wallpaper, decorated with an elegant motif of birds, flowers and insects or gold patterns reminiscent of oriental fabrics.
Methods for refining crystals
It is better for overly impressionable jewelry connoisseurs not to know how gems are mined industrially. If previously soft soil was carefully loosened with sticks, now the rock containing emerald ore simply explodes. In this case, not only those minerals that could be located at the place where the charge was placed suffer. Since such a characteristic of emerald as strength leaves much to be desired, due to the shock wave, a rare stone in the destroyed rock does without cracks, or even splitting.
In order to make them less noticeable and prevent further destruction of the gem, cracks were previously treated with oil, mainly cedar, which has a refractive index similar to the mineral. African craftsmen still prefer oil processing, but rarely do any of them manage to completely hide defects. But in South American countries, cracks are now filled with epoxy resins. For this purpose, special vacuum or thermal devices are used. Other crack fillers include adhesive silicone, natural latex, and even silicate glue. More than 95% of stones on sale were refined in one way or another.
The preservation of the fragile mineral is also facilitated by a special type of cut, which protects it from accidental damage and best reveals its rich color. It has a square or rectangular shape with chamfered corners. For a sample that has a large number of cracks, only grinding without edges, in the shape of a pearl or cabochon, is used, since with other types of processing it can crumble.
Gold ring DIAMONDS OF KOSTROMA with emerald and diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)
For particularly fragile gems, a special mount with a closed bottom is used. However, this means that the crystal will transmit less light and will dim even when slightly dirty. Cleaning must be done with the utmost care. The stone should not be rinsed in a soapy solution, as it will wash out the oil that fills the cracks. The use of any solvents should be completely avoided. Ultrasonic cleaning devices cause particular damage to the mineral. Every time you remove jewelry, you need to thoroughly wipe the stone with a flannel rag. Then it will look like new for a long time, and it will not soon require professional cleaning in a jewelry workshop.
How to arrange an emerald living room?
The living room usually has a fairly spacious interior, which is the center of home life. So where can you use emerald wall paint if not here? You can combine emerald walls with a green sofa and armchairs, tables or wardrobe. However, it's worth breaking up this much greenery with subtle additions of refreshing white, gray or gold. One or two elements in black won’t hurt either, it will protect the living room from monotony.
Emerald can also be introduced into the living room with furniture. An intense green sofa flowing against a crisp white or slightly gray wall will have a huge impact. The living room is an executive room, so let's not be afraid to add luxury - emerald furniture and walls will look great in the company of gold accessories, such as elegant lamps, mirror and picture frames, modern candlesticks and designer trinkets.
Northern nobility
Anyone who has seen the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in Ireland knows for sure that one of the best companions for green is red. Emerald cloaks, red curls and beards are the most common attributes of participants in the celebration. A bright, energetic combination is appropriate not only in Ireland.
Emerald goes well with shades of orange and brown. A bright palette in clothes is often diluted with beige or white. In the interior, a combination of emerald surfaces (billiard table, chair seats, walls) with wooden elements (furniture legs, armrests, doors) is a good option for an office.
The English style in all its glory can be used in such rooms. His severity, nobility, peace and wealth are the best suited for thoughtful work. Emerald-colored kitchen sets also look great. In addition to them, it is good to select copper accessories: sink, dishes, countertops.
It is important not to overdo it with emerald. As a dark version of green, too much of it can cause despondency. Color should be used with caution in small rooms.
Emerald color in the bedroom
The situation is somewhat different in the bedroom - this is a room for sleeping and relaxing, so it should have an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Green is a color with completely different properties, so you should use it carefully, for example, as emerald accessories - a velvet pillow, a stylish nightstand, one armchair. If you choose more green elements, balance them with a solid dose of other colors.
An emerald bedroom needs a counterbalance in the form of white, ecru, light gray and soft, warm pink. Let's think of them as the color of walls, curtains, bedding, rugs, throw pillows and bedspreads. They will soften the emerald without depriving it of its elegance.
Who is it suitable for?
Emerald-colored clothing: a dress, blouse, trousers or jacket is perfect primarily for girls with a dark complexion, dark hair, and brown eyes. Also, this shade of green is suitable for girls with the following types of appearance:
- For brunettes, redheads and brown-haired women - Autumn and Summer color types. It will highlight the appearance of such girls and women. Red-haired girls will be able to make their hair color even brighter and richer, brunettes with brown eyes will look even more luxurious.
Brunettes are recommended to try a version of the look that will consist only of shades of green - an emerald dress, accessories. If this option seems too monotonous to you, then add to it a few details in yellow, gold or ocher colors.
- Blondes and fair-haired girls have the Spring color type. In your case, you need to soften the shade a little by including neutral colors in the set - beige, light yellow, cream, mint, pastel shades, etc. This will highlight your hair color and will not let you get lost against the background of a powerful and rich green tone.
How to arrange an emerald kitchen?
Green is considered one of the best colors for kitchen interiors - its vitality improves appetite, adds energy and readiness to act. Emerald tiles above the sink and stove are quite a popular element of modern furnishings.
Let's take it a step further and introduce emerald green cabinets in the kitchen - they will give the interior a stylish retro look. Keep the rest of the composition white for a light, clean effect. Emerald cabinets will look great when paired with gold and brass elements such as taps, elegant pots, lamps and furniture pieces.
Emerald bathroom
It is difficult to imagine a room in the house to which emerald green could be better suited - associations with vegetation and water will create a mood of freshness, cleanliness and peace in the bathroom. The first step is to use greenish wall and floor tiles - small rectangular tiles look very elegant and can be laid in a brick or dramatic herringbone pattern. Even more interesting are the so-called “fish scales”, that is, small, fan-shaped tiles, for which the fashion came to us from Morocco. Their unusual shape will bring a touch of orientalism and a slightly maritime fairy-tale atmosphere to the room.
Greens in a bathroom layout can of course be balanced with white, but this is worth achieving for bolder combinations. Emerald goes well with blue - with turquoise it will create an energetic combination, while with pastel blue the arrangement will be a little more calm and soft. You can also play with a combination of emerald green and pink - they will create a mixture of both sweet and bold, filled with girlish ease, but also sophisticated elegance. For example, green tiles can be paired with pink wall paint, a pink bowl, or a fuchsia rug.
Jungle - Emerald Kingdom
This style is based on furnishing modern metropolises with the natural world, preferably exotic. The basis of the trend is plants - mostly living ones, with large or interesting leaves. Palms, monsteras, cacti, succulents, ivy, ferns and root vegetables are important elements of the composition, not only as potted plants, but also as part of the design - the urban jungle loves sheet wallpaper, curtains, pillows, pillowcases, upholstery and rugs.
The love for the world of plants leads to the fact that one of the dominant colors of the style is green. Can you imagine a more luscious and energetic shade than emerald? In the urban jungle, we can use it almost without limits - let's imagine it in patterned botanical wallpaper, in lush green furniture covers, in energetic living room and bedroom additions. We balance emerald green elements with white, pastel blue and peachy pink, lively fuchsia, red and eggplant, paired with light wood, wicker and natural fabrics.
Royal Emerald has the ability to transport you into a world of luxury and elegance, as well as vitality and harmony. Properly combined with other colours, it will work in almost any room - for the best effect we can combine it with luxurious velvets and shiny ceramics, clear glass and solid metals, with original shapes and impressive textures.
What is offered under the guise of emerald?
There are various substitutes for natural gems on the market:
- trade brands;
- imitations from cheap natural stones;
- doublets and triplets;
- artificial emerald;
- glass.
There are different ways to distinguish a fake in each case.
Trade brands
There are many products with the word emerald, but from other natural stones:
- evening emerald - rich yellow peridot, turning green in artificial light;
- Vilyuisky is the old name for brownish vesuvian;
- eastern – green sapphire;
- Pakistani – soft green garnet.
Similar minerals are also known as igmeralds, quintessae, simeralds, emerites. And smaragdolin is not a stone, but glass.
Imitations
Natural but cheap green gems from the second or third row, from alexandrite to zircon, are passed off as a high-class stone, such as emerald. They are bright, which makes them different from muted emerald.
These are refined tourmaline, synthetic cubic zirconia, quartz or spinel, natural jade or chrysoprase, as well as:
- demantoid is a rare, brightly shining Ural mineral;
- prehnite - calcium and aluminum silicate, representative of the third row;
- tsavorite – sparkling green garnet;
- chrysolite - semi-precious, resembles a noble stone in twilight lighting;
- fluorite is a mineral with the same inclusions as Colombian stones; under ultraviolet light it also glows red, but softer.
Less popular green gems are also used:
- giddenite;
- grossular;
- dioptase;
- jade;
- chrome diopside;
- uvarovite.
Often, an average-grade emerald is several times cheaper than an imitation of natural high-quality jade or demantoid.
Here the choice is between authenticity and quality.
Doublets and triplets
This imitation is several plates assembled into one pebble. The layers of fake stone are:
- low-grade emeralds;
- emerald plus other minerals (beryl, quartz, synthetic spinel);
- emerald plus other stones plus glass.
The material is joined with a special paste or glue to match.
Synthetic stones
Stone has always been counterfeited, but it was a clumsy job. The problem became serious at the end of the 19th century, when German specialists grew the first emerald. The process is being improved, the characteristics of natural and man-made stones are becoming closer. For example, it is impossible to distinguish them by hardness or luminescence under ultraviolet light.
However, synthetics have no cracks and are indifferent to sunlight or strong impacts.
Glass
The most popular of the fakes, this is usually painted bottle glass.
