Emerald is an important member of the beryl family. It is green in color and one of the three major colored gemstones (ruby and sapphire) recognized by the international jewelry industry. Among green gemstones, the bright and rich emerald shines brightly and has won the Received the title of “King of Emeralds”. Emerald is regarded as a symbol of love and life, representing spring full of vitality. Legend has it that it is also the gemstone favored by Venus, the goddess of love. It can give the wearer honest and beautiful memories. Rare things are valuable, and the output of emeralds in the world is extremely rare. It was once estimated that only one out of every 1 million beryl minerals is an emerald. Although emeralds are not a newcomer among gemstones and have been discovered more than 4,000 years ago, the selection of emeralds still requires attention to skills. So how do you choose such a preciou emerald engagement ring so that you can buy one of matching quality at the right price? Here are some main points to consider when choosing emerald engagement rings:
Color
Color is the first and most important parameter to consider when selecting emerald gemstones ring. Emerald is known for its cool green color with strong saturation. The most valuable emeralds are extremely transparent. They are uniform in color with no areas of color visible to the naked eye. In fact, this lush green appearance is why many couples are so obsessed with emeralds. Generally, only those with medium to deep green color can be called emerald; those with lighter color are generally regarded as beryl. It is said that the color of emerald is also closely related to the location of the mine. For example, Colombian emeralds have a warmer, more saturated pure green color, while Zambian emeralds have a cooler, darker blue-green color. But this statement is not absolute. Most emeralds have the same appearance despite their different origins.
Purity
Whether the emerald’s emerald green is crystal clear or not depends not only on the color of the gemstone, but also on the transparency and flaws of the gemstone. Emeralds often contain inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Emeralds are commonly known as the garden of inclusions; because of this, traders and some consumers understand and accept the presence of inclusions in emeralds. Emeralds without visible inclusions are extremely rare and therefore particularly valuable.
Size
Whether the emerald’s emerald green is crystal clear or not depends not only on the color of the gemstone, but also on the transparency and flaws of the gemstone. Emeralds often contain inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Emeralds are commonly known as the garden of inclusions; because of this, traders and some consumers understand and accept the presence of inclusions in emeralds. Emeralds without visible inclusions are extremely rare and therefore particularly valuable.
Place of origin
Emeralds, like other colored treasures, are also very particular about their pedigree. Colombia, Zambia, Brazil and Afghanistan all produce emeralds. Colombia is the world’s largest supplier of high-quality emeralds, accounting for approximately 80% of the world’s total high-quality emerald production. In recent years, Zambian emeralds with large particles, high color, high clarity and high fire can also be seen at auctions.
Cutting
The gemstone structure of emerald has many cracks and is easily brittle, which greatly increases the difficulty of cutting. It is one of the most difficult gemstones to cut. During the cutting process, it is necessary to bring out the hue, color, saturation, etc. of the gemstone to the maximum extent, so it emerged. Trapezoidal and octagonal cuts are the cuts that best reflect the color and beauty of emeralds. Emeralds are prone to wear and tear over many years of wear, and the long octagonal shape helps increase their durability. This is why most of the emeralds we see on the market are square in shape.
Optimizing
Only a very small number of high-quality emeralds are mined in perfect condition without the need for optimization. Therefore, the value of such gems will be relatively high. Therefore, optimized processing is very common in emeralds and has been basically accepted by the industry. To enhance the clarity of emeralds, they are often treated with oil. Under vacuum, oil is introduced into the fissures of the stone to eliminate those most obvious inclusions. However, using this method of processing, the results are not stable. This treatment can be done again after a few years. Another optimization method is to use artificial resin to improve the clarity and stability of gemstones. However, this method is often used to optimize low-quality gemstones, so it is not widely accepted in the industry. Another way is to use a combination of oil and artificial resin. These three processing methods belong to different processing levels from small to large. The optimization method used will affect the final price of the emerald. For example, a one-carat emerald that has been moderately oil-treated is about three-quarters more expensive than a resin-treated stone of the same size.
Certificate
Most precious gemstones come with special certificates, and emeralds are no exception. In order to avoid the distress of buying fake or defective emeralds at high prices, it is recommended to choose emeralds with certificates when purchasing, because many processing methods and fraud techniques cannot be accurately identified with the naked eye. What’s more, details such as the place of origin and degree of oil injection require professional instruments from a gemstone identification agency to distinguish. Certificates issued by international gemological laboratories such as SSEF and AGL are trustworthy. When looking at the certificate, you should pay attention to the origin, color, processing conditions, etc. to avoid being deceived.
Conclusion
The selection of precious gemstones must not be careless. If you don’t want to waste your money, you must comprehensively consider the parameters of each gemstone to consider the quality of the gemstone and the matching price. It is best to choose a reliable jewelry store and have an officially certified gemstone certificate before purchasing. When choosing an emerald engagement ring, prioritize vivid and evenly distributed hues, ensuring it complements your preferences and skin tone. Assess the size according to your intended use, whether it be for jewelry or investment purposes. Opt for stones with minimal inclusions, as they enhance both visual appeal and durability. Research the market thoroughly to understand price trends and ensure fair value. Origin also contributes to the gem’s allure, with Colombian and Zambian emeralds renowned for their exceptional quality. Lastly, inquire about any treatments or enhancements, preferring those that preserve the stone’s natural beauty. By considering these factors, you can confidently select a stunning emerald that meets your requirements and stands the test of time.
