Diamonds are graded at 10x magnification, while emeralds are graded without magnification. An additional difference is their clarity types. I specify colored gemstones because diamonds have a completely different system for clarity grading. In the example above, Type I gems are very frequently eye-clean few, if any, inclusions visible.
One example of this is aquamarines. Type II gems typically have visible inclusions, and are a lot harder to find eye-clean. Most gems are Type II, including rubies and sapphires. There are extremely few Type III gems that are eye clean and inclusion-free. The ones that are clear receive huge price markups. Cut has different standards between diamonds and emeralds. Part of a diamonds sparkle comes from how well it is cut, while emeralds do not receive this benefit from their cut.
Emeralds and other colored gems are instead cut to preserve their weight, while maintaining as ideal a cut as possible. In comparison to diamonds, the cut of colored gems is irregular looking. The only value that is evaluated the same way between emeralds and diamonds is their carat weight. Carat weight functions as a rarity gauge for all the other factors, and is used to determine the price based on quality.
Rarity is the key factor to pricing any gem. Basic quality differences aside, emeralds are much rarer than diamonds. Diamonds alone account for half of the entire precious gem industry. This includes emeralds, sapphire, rubies, topaz, tourmalines, moonstones, sunstones, and any other gemstone imaginable. If you walk down 47th through the famed diamond district of New York, most of the gems sitting in the windows are diamond and almost nothing else.
Most people mistakenly assume that they should choose emeralds of medium to very dark tone because they believe that the darker the tone, the better. But this is not necessarily true. What is just as important to the look of the emerald is its saturation. This is what gives the color its intensity and strength. Saturation can range from dull to pure vivid. But if you find a light green emerald sparkling with vivid saturation, your eyes are much more likely to be drawn to it — and you may like the lighter tone, as well.
Often customers are shocked to find out that the emerald they fall in love with is actually one with light tone but with good saturation. Of course, since color is by far the most important factor when buying emeralds, it should go without saying that you need to be able to see a high quality photo of the stone before even considering purchasing it.
Just as with Diamonds, they lead the industry in just about every possible area — customer service, packaging, prices, high quality photography and now video! These high definition videos make the viewing experience just as good as seeing the stone in person. Another important thing to remember about emeralds is that they are rarely sold with a reliable certificate.
As long as you have a guarantee that the emerald is natural, all that really matters is how the stone looks to you. As with diamonds, emeralds with better clarity fetch a higher price at market. Whereas with diamonds there is a clear clarity grading scale see our article on diamond clarity here , with emeralds there is not. Emeralds belong to the beryl mineral family, and their inclusions result from bits of liquids, gas, and other minerals like chromium and vanadium. Even though you will find inclusions and fissures, you need to pay attention to what kind they are.
Stay away from inclusions that look like bubbles, imperfections that look arranged in a specific order, and obviously big blotches. This point is especially important because emeralds are not as strong as diamonds and will chip more easily.
And bottom line: make sure you see a magnified picture of the emerald to see its jardin before purchasing. Due to the highly included nature of emeralds, it has become standard practice today to treat the stones with oils or resins to enhance clarity. Emerald vendors generally accept the use of oil, but do not look favorably upon green-tinted oil.
All emeralds sold should have full disclosure of treatment according to the US Federal Trade Commission. As with diamonds, the cut of the emerald refers to its faceting, shape, width and depth. Ideally, an emerald should be cut symmetrically with uniform facets that allow for paramount color and brilliance. If cut too deeply, the light will escape on the side and the emerald will look dark. If too shallow, the emerald will not appear brilliant since the light will be lost at the bottom of the stone.
This elegant white gold necklace from Blue Nil e holds two exquisite green emeralds in a glittering circle of marquise and round brilliant diamonds. Made of 18k gold, the mesh necklace is designed to seductively drape across the neck and showcase the vibrant tumbled emerald bead. Teneal Zuvela Contributor [email protected] May 24, Photo by David M.
Courtesy of Gemfields. Load More.
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