Emeralds have been one of the most sought after gemstones for more than 4,000 years. Many historians attribute the emerald to Queen Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra was so infatuated with emeralds that she often embellished her robes, jewelery and crowns with them. Emeralds are about 20 times rarer than diamonds, and are extremely valuable. While it's impossible to find emeralds to set on your crown, you may still be in the market buying or selling quality gemstones. It is very important to know the elements that can increase the value of an emerald before buying or selling it.
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Part 1 of 3: Assessing the Clarity, Cut, and Size of an Emerald
Step 1. Look for inclusions (internal weaknesses) in the emerald
Inclusions are any material (such as air bubbles or tiny crystals) that became trapped within the emerald during the formation process. Nearly 99% of emeralds have inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye or with a loupe, a magnifying glass.
- The distribution of inclusions makes emeralds a group 3 gemstone, which is almost always an inclusion that can be seen with the naked eye
- Emeralds with more inclusions, which reduce the transparency or clarity of the stone, are less expensive than those with fewer inclusions.
- Beware of inclusions reaching the surface of the emerald, as they will cause cracking.
Step 2. Examine the emerald cut
Emeralds can be difficult to cut because the distribution of inclusions makes them prone to breaking during the process. Emeralds are generally cut in a rectangular shape (known as “flat cut” or “cut emerald”) which helps to keep the color of the emerald looking consistent.
- The emerald cut will protect the stone from possible damage due to tearing and everyday use.
- A quality cut emerald will enhance its hue, tone, and saturation level. A good cut will look shiny and have the desired color, while a bad cut may still have a beautiful color but look dull.
Step 3. Understand that emeralds come in different sizes
Like most gemstones, emeralds can come in a wide variety of sizes, from accent emeralds measuring 0.005-0.1 gram (1 mm-5 mm) to center stones on rings or necklaces measuring 0.2-1 gram (7 mm). -12mm).
Step 4. Don't equate size with price
Bigger stones are more valuable than smaller ones. However, stone quality is just as important as size, and large emeralds tend to have larger or visible inclusions that can affect their clarity. Small, good-quality emeralds tend to be of higher value than larger ones but are of poorer quality. In addition, the color of an emerald has an important effect on its value.
Part 2 of 3: Estimating the Color of the Emerald
Step 1. Understand the importance of color
Emeralds are available in a range of colors. Color is one of the most important factors in determining the value of an emerald. Variations in the color of emeralds are caused by differences in the amounts of chromium, vanadium, and iron in the environment in which they are formed. Colors can be divided into the categories of hue, tone, and saturation.
Step 2. Recognize the hue of the emerald
Hue may be interpreted as "color". The emerald hue is a distinctive emerald green hue.
- The hue of emeralds can range from bluish green to yellowish green.
- For example, Zambian emeralds are characterized by a deep bluish-green color, while Brazilian and Colombian emeralds are generally pure lush green.
Step 3. Look at the tone of the emerald color
Color tone refers to how light or dark the emerald is. The color tone of emeralds can range from very light green to very dark green. The relationship between color tone and emerald value is quite confusing. Darker emeralds are generally considered to be more valuable, but if they are too dark they will be less valuable.
- Emeralds in medium to dark-medium tones are the most valuable on the market.
- Emeralds with tones of pure green or bluish-green are the most sought after, in part because the colored stone is associated with the Muzo Mine, Colombia's most famous and respected gem mine.
- Be aware that emeralds that are too yellow or blue in color may be considered imitations, and therefore, will be significantly lower in price.
Step 4. Assess the emerald's saturation level
The degree of saturation is related to the transparency of the emerald. Emeralds with a high saturation level (meaning very transparent) are more valuable than those with a low saturation level.
The saturation level of the emerald can be attributed to the inclusions as well as the tone of the color; Highly calculated emeralds can look not very transparent. Similarly, emeralds are very dark green, which don't absorb much light, so they appear duller than lighter colors
Part 3 of 3: Buying Emeralds
Step 1. Choose a reputable jeweler
Buy precious gemstones from trusted sources. Make sure the jeweler has a high reputation. Better yet, find a jeweler who has a return policy on products sold if the description of the quality and clarity of the emerald is inaccurate.
Step 2. Let the other party appraise the emerald
It's a good idea to get a third-party estimate of a very expensive emerald (or one that's gram or more in size). The best way is to use the services of an appraiser who is a member of the Paramita Gemology Institute, one of the oldest appraisal institutions in Indonesia. To get an appraiser, follow these steps:
- Look for the Paramita Institute Gemology website here.
- Click "Contact Us". You will be asked to enter data such as name, address, phone number and message – as shown on the screen.
- Click "Send". The Institute Gemology Paramita will contact you later by phone or email.
- Institute Gemology Paramita can also be contacted directly by telephone, facsimile, BlackBerry Messenger, and email with the contact details found on the "Contact Us" page on the official website.
Step 3. Request a report from a gemological laboratory, for example the Adamas Gemological Laboratory (AGL)
In order to properly estimate the value of an emerald to be purchased, you can request a report from (AGL), which identifies the grade, size, cut, clarity, color and origin of the stone.
This report will give you confidence in the value and quality of a gemstone, even before it gets a third party appraisal
Step 4. Understand pricing
Before buying, make sure to get a good quality emerald for the amount of money spent. Reports (AGL) will provide a benchmark, but cannot accurately represent market prices (Published price reports (AGL) often increase). To get a more suitable pricing, shop with a different jeweler, then make notes about the color, cut, and quality of each gemstone to be priced.
Keep in mind that pricing emeralds is ultimately subjective so you don't need to use a specific “formula” to get the price right
Step 5. Understand the lubrication process
Emeralds are generally treated with oil to enhance their appearance and clarity. Lubrication is a common practice and is considered a minimal additional maintenance to enhance the appearance of an emerald.
Ask if the emerald has undergone minor, moderate, or significant changes. Minor additional treatments such as lubrication are fairly common, while significant treatments such as resin (damar tree sap) or dyeing will change the appearance of the emerald and mask its true value
Tips
- Be sure to find out if the emeralds you are buying are mined or lab-made. Emeralds that are very clean, bright green in color, and have almost no inclusions can be “too perfect”, indicating that the stone is a high-quality laboratory design.
- Ask for an independent appraisal of the emerald by someone who has no relationship with the seller, either before or shortly after purchase. If the emerald is not genuine or is sold with an inappropriate quality description, return it to the jeweler with the appraiser and request a refund or exchange.
