Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 1: Check the quality of the emerald
• Shop smart
• Tips

Emeralds are gemstones that are recognizable for their rich green color. Mankind discovered this stone in the Middle Ages, and many are eager to acquire them today. When you buy emeralds, you must pay attention to quality. Color, cut and clarity can all affect the price of a stone. You should also buy stones from reputable jewelers and sellers to avoid being scammed.

Steps

Method 1 of 1: Check the quality of the emerald

1. 1 Pay attention to the shade of the emerald. Hue determines the purity of a stone's color and is one of three criteria for determining the color quality of an emerald. Most emeralds are bluish green, while others can be yellowish green. The most valuable are those that do not have additional shades and have a pure green color.
2. 2 Check the tonal depth. The tonal color determines the lightness or dark color of the emerald. Natural emeralds range from very light to very dark. The most valuable are dark emeralds. High quality emeralds generally have a medium dark to very dark tonal color.
3. 3 Choose an emerald with a strong saturation. Saturation determines the strength of a color and this is perhaps the most important aspect of a stone's color quality. Rich saturation means more brilliance, which means that the emerald reflects color better. Weak saturation will make the stone look dull and dull.
4. 4 Pay attention to the shape. Basically, all shapes are the same in value, but some can reflect light better than others. The rectangular shape is unsurprisingly the most common among emeralds. Round, oval, pear-shaped, teardrop and cabochon shapes are also common.
   • In addition to maintaining a high level of brilliance, the shape of the emerald allows jewelers to achieve the best selling product from a rough crystal.
5. 5 Expect inclusions. Emeralds are type 3 gemstones as defined by the American Gem Institute. This means that almost all emeralds will have some inclusions due to the softness of the stone. Choose stones with internal inclusions rather than superficial or close to the surface. Internal inclusions will prolong the life of the stone, since it will not break soon.
6. 6 Take a look at the list of inclusions compiled by the American Institute. Scientists rate emeralds from very, very weak inclusions to inclusions 3.
   • Very, very weak inclusions - emeralds have inclusions that are visible with magnifying devices, but are not visible to the naked eye.
   • VS (Very Slightly Included) emeralds have inclusions that are obvious with magnification and detectable by the naked eye.
   • Very weak inclusions - stones have inclusions that are obvious when magnified and detectable with the naked eye.
   • Weak inclusions of 1 and 2 degrees - stones have noticeable inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
   • With inclusions of 1, 2 and 3 degrees - stones have inclusions that are large enough to negatively affect the appearance of the stone and its durability. Please note that different institutes and laboratories have different classifications. Check out these classifications if the jeweler you came to uses one of them.
7. 7 Ask about the lubrication process or other ways to improve transparency. This will help hide some cracks and inclusions in the stone, and are considered excellent remedies.
   • Make sure to use a transparent finish, as green may have been used to cover or mask problems with the stone's color.
   • Traditional care products contain cedar nut oil or any similar clear oil. Oil treated emeralds may need to be treated again after drying.
   • Manmade epoxy and rosin can also be used to process emeralds. These substances do not wear out so easily, but can disappear at high temperatures.
8. 8 Decide on the size. Larger emeralds have more carats, but they also cost a lot more as large stones are difficult to mine. Many people find it easier to determine the quality of large stones than small ones. As a result, a large, high-quality stone may look even more beautiful than a small one, but flaws on large, low-quality stones will also be more noticeable.
9. 9 Find out the origin of the stone before purchasing. The best emeralds come from three Colombian mines: Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez. Other high quality emeralds are mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Russia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ask each jeweler where the emeralds are delivered from.
10. 10 Learn the features of emeralds from famous mines. Often emeralds from certain mines have similar qualities.
    • Muzo emeralds are usually deep green in color with a slight shade of yellow or blue. These stones often have mineral parasites in the form of yellow-brown or red-brown needles.
    • Coscuez emeralds often have a light shade of blue and intense saturation.
    • Emeralds from Chivor have deep blue blotches and often have two phases of tubular inclusions.
    • Spiral inclusions are also popular with all Colombian emeralds.

Shop smart

1. Choose sturdy frames. Emeralds have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making them relatively hard stones that can still be broken. To ensure the longevity of your emerald, choose metal frames with a high level of protection. Frames with deep sockets and V-prongs are especially good.
2. Think about artificially crafted rocks. Emeralds created in the laboratory have the same physical and chemical characteristics as natural emeralds. Considered by many to be less valuable, you can find a large stone with high quality color and clarity at an affordable price.
3. Explore the wholesale of gemstones. Some companies buy huge quantities of stones at low price, wholesale prices and resell these stones at a small mark-up. Instead of buying a finished stone, buy a rough stone from a trusted online wholesaler and have it processed by a jeweler. This is often obtained in a more affordable way and allows you to cut it at your request.
4. Just buy the stone from trusted jewelers. Look for major jewelry chains and private sellers who provide certifications from well-known and trusted gemstone communities.
5. Be wary of discounts when shopping for natural emeralds. Such emeralds are very rare, so many jewelers hesitate to sell them at discounts. If you come across a seller offering big discounts on natural emeralds, you must question their honesty.

Tips

• Avoid using ultrasonic or steam cleaners to clean the emerald. These processes are based on high temperatures, which can degrade the clarity of the emerald, causing the emerald to become fragile and lose its luster.