Gemological Information | Enhancement and Other Information

EMERALD

Mineral Species
Beryl

Color Hue
Very strongly bluish-green, bluish-green, very slightly bluish-green, green, slightly yellowish-green.

Clarity Designation
Type III - usually eye visible inclusions.

Cut
All grades available, normally not well cut in commercial qualities.

Gemological Data
R.I.: 1.577-1.583
Hardness 7-1/2 to 8
S.G. 2.72 + .18, -.05

Typical Enhancements
Traditionally oiled, waxed, and or resined to improve appearance (color & clarity) with colorless material.

Enhancement Stability
Very good to fair.

Birthstone
May

BACKGROUND

Emerald is the green variety of Beryl. Emerald derives it’s name from the Greek word “smaragdus” meaning green.

THE LORE

Ancient gem experts characterized the scenic inclusions in emeralds as gardens, because the inclusions resembled foliage under magnification. Ancients wore uncut emerald crystals as amulets to increase their intelligence. Others believed emeralds improved one’s sexual desires and bestowed inner peace to it’s owner.

Emeralds have been prized since the beginning of recorded time. Cleopatra loved emeralds and had amassed an astounding collection of emeralds.

METHOD OF ENHANCEMENTS

Emeralds are usually enhanced using a variety of methods. Some emeralds are enhanced using colorless oil(s), wax(s), and or other colorless resin(s) to improve the gemstone’s appearance. Products are usually heated and applied under pressure to improve penetration.

Use of colored oils or resins is not an accepted practice and non-disclosure is illegal. All enhancements must be disclosed to the consumer or violate Federal Trade Commission regulations.

Jewels & Diamonds™ only stocks colored gemstones with standard enhancement methods. Some gemstones may, in fact, not be enhanced with any method other than heat. Unless otherwise noted, all consumers must assume standard enhancement has been utilized to improve appearance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are perhaps fifty color hues and saturations for emeralds. Emeralds can be found to be from transparent to opaque. Color and transparency of gem quality emeralds significantly affect value. The use of a coloring agent greatly diminishes value and must be disclosed to consumers.

Lab created emeralds are quite common in the trade and are usually easy to be identified by an expert. Prices for synthetic emeralds vary greatly, and some are much harder to product. However, even the very best synthetic is relatively inexpensive compared to a fine quality natural emerald. Some of the very finest emeralds come from the “Muzo” mine in Columbia. Many in the trade call fine quality emeralds “Muzo emerald” or “Muzo quality”. Unfortunately, unless the emerald, in fact, originated from the “Muzo” district in Columbia, the supplier is in violation of F.T.C. (Federal Trade Commission) regulations, Section 23.3(a) and (b).

Many fine grade emeralds have come from places other than Columbia. However, “Muzo” emeralds are among the best.

DR. GEM’S® ADVICE

The caveat that “Dr. Gem”® follows is to assume EVERY emerald is enhanced unless accompanied by a Gem Trade Laboratory (G.I.A.) certification. Emeralds should not be subject to sudden temperature extremes as steaming, chemical baths, or ultra-sonic cleaning. Care should be taken to protect this ancient treasure from sharp blows and harsh treatments. With proper care, emeralds will enrich your life for decades.

Buying emeralds requires some trade-offs in cut and clarity, unless a consumer is willing to spend some serious monies. Most emeralds are, in fact, not eye-clean and are not well cut. Rich bluish-green; eye-clean well-cut emeralds are very expensive or are synthetic or simulants. Fine emerald gemstones demand thousands of dollars per carat, and beware of anyone offering huge discounts for this ancient treasure.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Jewels & Diamonds™ inventories tens of thousands of jewelry, gifts, collectables, and gemstones. Our new website catalog only features a tiny fraction of our story inventory at lower price points. Website consumers will see our selection expand exponentially. Consumers wishing to purchase items beyond our website’s credit card limit MUST make other financial arrangements outside of credit card sales. Jewels & Diamonds™ sells quality jewelry in all price points and beyond reality. Call “Dr. Gem”® today at 352-621-4653 and he’ll assist you personally.

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