As with any gem deposit, Ethiopia produces emeralds with a wide range of quality. Much of the material is commercial grade, often heavily included with black mica crystals. However, some truly amazing gems have come from this deposit as well. The top-quality stones from Ethiopia are grass green or green with a hint of a blue hue, and have no need for oil enhancement.

Even more exciting is the saturation of these stones. These bright, saturated greens are comparable to stones from the Colombian mines. Some dealers describe the color as “glowing” or having a “neon” quality and compare it to paraíba tourmaline in this regard.