How to Shop for Emeralds
Natural gemstones occur in a broad range of qualities, and the price can vary accordingly. For example, a pale opaque ruby commands about one-tenth the price of a fine quality ruby that displays a vivid red color with brilliant depth and intensity.
Steps
- Learn as much as you can by visiting accredited educational sites, like The Gemological Institute of America, this will enhance your learning on the history of Emeralds and know how to spot a fake.
- Know where the finest emeralds come from: three Colombian mines: Muzo, Chivor, and Cosquez. Emeralds of varying (but generally inferior) color, clarity, and quality are also mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Russia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Emeralds from the Muzo mine are a deep green with a trace of yellow or blue.
- Emeralds from the Quipama mine are a little bit on the yellowish side.
- Emeralds from the Coscuez mine have a hint of blue and are of a rich intense color.
- Chivor Emeralds are known for their bluish tones, they are still blue/green, but they have a lot of blue for an Emerald. If this is appealing to you and you love the unique, this is one to see.
- Look for distinct inclusions. Inclusions not only give each Emerald character it also can help determine exactly which mine the Emerald originated from. A two phase tubular inclusion is characteristic of Chivor stones. The parasitic crystal only appears in stones from the Muzo mine. Common to all Colombian Emeralds is the three phase inclusion, comprised of Solid, Liquid & Gas. Spiral inclusions are also indicative of Colombian Emeralds.
- Remember that all emeralds will have some type of inclusions, no matter how small. The very nature of the coloration of the beryl crystal with chromium or vanadium imparts inclusions in the crystal. This is also why you should never turn down an emerald of nice color simply because of some inclusions. Because of the relatively low specific gravity of emeralds (SGE = 2.72), emeralds are physically larger than similarly weighted diamonds or rubies.
- Ask about the oiling process. Emeralds are like opals in that the stones are quite porous and will often have small fissures and gas bubbles exposed during the cutting process. As a result, just like opals, emeralds are coated with a clear resin-like oil that helps to seal the stone from detergents, hand lotions, etc. from seeping into the stone during everyday wear. As long as this oiling is done using a clear oil, the process is acceptable and virtually every emerald is treated in this manner. However, if a green colored oil is used to hide inclusions and enhance the color, this process must be disclosed to you at the time of sale.
- Be wary of discounts. Emeralds are rare. Very rare. And no one needs to discount emerald jewelry because of this rarity. If you see emeralds being offered at big discounts you should be very cautious.
- Don't be too strict on proportioning when shopping for emeralds. These stones are very rare and they are cut to save the most amount of the original crystal. Since color is the most important factor with emeralds, be prepared to see some unusual shapes.
- Keep in mind that most U.S. jewelers do not work with enough emeralds to be able to appraise a fine Colombian emerald. Most cannot identify a chromium or vanadium coloring element in the stones which has a great effect on the price of the stone.
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Last Update: 28 Aug