How to choose an emerald?
6 factors are essential for choosing an emerald.
The purity of the emerald
Emerald is the most included gemstone. These are called "emerald gardens." Unlike diamonds , inclusions are perfectly tolerated in jewelry and fine jewelry, provided they are not excessively visible and allow light to pass through the emerald.
Emerald does not have a classification unlike diamond for example.
Color intensity
The most important point. The most intense stones are the most sought-after, but the most important thing when choosing your emerald is that it appeals to you!
Below is an illustration of the five main intensities of green.
The origin of the emerald
The Colombian emerald is by far the most renowned and best known, despite its very high price and the fact that the mines are producing less and less (only around fifty jewelry-quality stones per week for Muzo, the main Colombian mine).
In jewelry and fine jewelry, the most commonly used emeralds are Brazilian emeralds, which are of excellent quality. Zambian emeralds are lighter and generally lower quality than Brazilian emeralds, but are also widely used in jewelry.
The shape
The most common shapes for emeralds are: oval and faceted cut (often called "emerald cut").
For creations like a pendant, it is best to use a pear cut.
Weight (in carats)
For jewelry, choose emeralds between 0.5 and 1 carat for rings and up to 2 carats for pendants, to combine size and comfort.
For investment purposes, emeralds between 2 and 5 carats are sought after for their rarity and value. Stones over 5 carats also offer potential for appreciation.
Oiling the Emerald
Almost all emeralds are oiled with cedar oil. The practice involves dipping the stone into cedar oil to fill the micro-cracks present in the stone (its brilliance is amplified). This practice is perfectly tolerated. However, it is forbidden to replace this oil with a colored resin.
