Should I get an emerald

[Timor]

First of all, I realize this is totally up to me, but I've been debating about this with myself for a while and just couldn't decide! Dear PSers, please lend your opinions.
I love green gems and have a couple green sapphires, tsavorites and chrysoberyls, but have yet to buy an emerald. I do want to because I feel the color and glow it has it very different from other green stones, but I have a couple hesitations:
1. it's more brittle than sapphires and I want to set it in a ring.
2. I heard you need to re-oil it and I have no idea how that works and not sure if I'll be able to keep track of when to do it. Will it hurt the stone if you don't reoil in time?
3. I don't feel confident that I'll be able to tell if it is a good one or if the price is reasonable. I know one should not expect a totally clean emerald, but how much of a "secret garden" is considered reasonable? And does "insignificant" and "minor" clarity enhancement have a big difference that impact decisions (I know above minor is usually considered not good)?
All help and additional advice is much appreciated!

 

[Bijouteried]

First of all, I realize this is totally up to me, but I've been debating about this with myself for a while and just couldn't decide! Dear PSers, please lend your opinions.
I love green gems and have a couple green sapphires, tsavorites and chrysoberyls, but have yet to buy an emerald. I do want to because I feel the color and glow it has it very different from other green stones, but I have a couple hesitations:
1. it's more brittle than sapphires and I want to set it in a ring.
2. I heard you need to re-oil it and I have no idea how that works and not sure if I'll be able to keep track of when to do it. Will it hurt the stone if you don't reoil in time?
3. I don't feel confident that I'll be able to tell if it is a good one or if the price is reasonable. I know one should not expect a totally clean emerald, but how much of a "secret garden" is considered reasonable? And does "insignificant" and "minor" clarity enhancement have a big difference that impact decisions (I know above minor is usually considered not good)?
All help and additional advice is much appreciated!

Emeralds are beautiful and regal, but their lack of hardness does worry me a bit. For this reason, I might choose a pendant with a unique setting to show it off. But, putting it in a ring and insuring it is not unreasonable.

I just searched "how to choose an emerald" and--as expected--there are a lot of websites out there to help with decision making.

I hope you find something you are comfortable with and share your choice!

Best of luck.

 

[JackTrick]

Do you have a general budget for gem purchases? A rough estimate would help, as I think people’s advice can vary wildly depending on if someone is looking to spend $100 or $10,000

 

[Timor]

Emeralds are beautiful and regal, but their lack of hardness does worry me a bit. For this reason, I might choose a pendant with a unique setting to show it off. But, putting it in a ring and insuring it is not unreasonable.

I just searched "how to choose an emerald" and--as expected--there are a lot of websites out there to help with decision making.

I hope you find something you are comfortable with and share your choice!

Best of luck.

Thanks a lot for the input! I did look at some websites, and they helped a lot. I guess the most confusing part to me is clarity. I know not to expect eye clean but not sure what's the general expectation beyond that.
I will keep browsing and if I do decide to go for it I will share!

Do you have a general budget for gem purchases? A rough estimate would help, as I think people’s advice can vary wildly depending on if someone is looking to spend $100 or $10,000

I am looking for quality over size. I am still debating about emerald in general so have not given that much thought to size yet. I will probably get a small one, like 0.6-1ct, for (I don't really know) around $800-1200.

 

[Bron357]

I have an emerald and diamond ring.
However, I only wear it for special occasions ie not when I’ll be using my hands a lot. Like opening drawers, the easiest way to whack your ring!
Emeralds are brittle, a decent whack and the gem can shear.
They also aren’t a gem to wear to the beach, the swimming pool or spa.

 

[glitterata]

What about trying a synthetic emerald to see how you like it before deciding whether to spend the money on a natural one?

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

What about trying a synthetic emerald to see how you like it before deciding whether to spend the money on a natural one?

I also second this, I'm looking in to getting a ring made with a nice faux one. I love the idea and look of emerald but I just know I'd destroy a real one. Too risky for me! Seems like a practical solution, ya know?

 

[Timor]

I have an emerald and diamond ring.
However, I only wear it for special occasions ie not when I’ll be using my hands a lot. Like opening drawers, the easiest way to whack your ring!
Emeralds are brittle, a decent whack and the gem can shear.
They also aren’t a gem to wear to the beach, the swimming pool or spa.

That's my worry as well. I'd totally cry over that.

What about trying a synthetic emerald to see how you like it before deciding whether to spend the money on a natural one?

I also second this, I'm looking in to getting a ring made with a nice faux one. I love the idea and look of emerald but I just know I'd destroy a real one. Too risky for me! Seems like a practical solution, ya know?

That's a good idea actually! !

 

[Ionysis]

I don’t think you should need to be nervous about emeralds. I personally love the colour and it can’t be replicated in sapphire or tourmaline or garnet - nothing else has that same bluish green glow.

I see nothing wrong with “moderate” oil in an emerald. You’ll pay a gigantic step up for minor or insignificant. And that’s coming from someone who only buys unheated sapphires.

You don’t have to reoil them for years - maybe decades if you don’t wear it often. Unless of course you do something silly with it like leaving it on the bottom of your swimming pool or soaking it in alcohol or stream cleaning it with solvent - which I assume you won’t be doing!

Emeralds aren’t as soft as you think. They are still MOHs 7.5 - 8. Compare that to tanzanite at 6 - 7 or Opal at 5-6. Unless you’re VERY hard on your jewellery (or extremely unlucky) an emerald properly set is not “fragile”.

I have several emeralds and have never found them a problem to look after.

A top quality Muzo is on my ideal wish list for one day in the future but not until I win the lottery!

 

[dk168]

I went down the synthetic route and had one custom cut by Jeff W, as a similar earth-mined Emerald in that size and colour was beyond my reach at the time.

Gary B at Finewater Gems currently has a synthetic Emerald listed in case the OP is interested:

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p817/2.74CtLabCreatedEmerald.html

DK

 

[Ionysis]

What about trying a synthetic emerald to see how you like it before deciding whether to spend the money on a natural one?

Oddly enough I find lab emeralds look very obviously “fake” to me in almost all instances. I don’t think they can be very well replicated. But I feel like that about most synthetics.

 

[Avondale]

2. I heard you need to re-oil it and I have no idea how that works and not sure if I'll be able to keep track of when to do it. Will it hurt the stone if you don't reoil in time?

As you know, emeralds come pretty included, and the inclusions often reach the surface. At some point humanity figured out they could plop the emerald in a glass of oil, have the oil fill the fissures and make them invisible.

It's literally all there is. Well, nowadays they have machines which create vacuum and suck the air out of the fissures before the oil is applied, which speeds up the process significantly. So instead of leaving the emerald to soak, the oil can be applied within minutes.

The oil can also be removed very easily. That's why everyone says to not leave emeralds in warm water with soap. Ultrasonic cleaning will also demolish all oil and erase it from existence.

The oil doesn't affect the stone itself in any way, it doesn't change the mineral structure, it doesn't alter the colour. It doesn't damage it in any way. But it does make it seem as if there are less inclusions, as if the emerald is more clean and clear. I like to use this example image:

(It's from https://www.ssef.ch/emeralds-and-the-saga-of-cleaning-and-filling-fissures/ which is a very interesting article to read.)

You're probably reaching this conclusion on your own by now, but the reason minor oil is preferred over moderate oil which is preferred over significant oil is because the level of treatment effectively gives you an idea of the actual clarity of the emerald.

Somewhat recently I came across this video from JR Colombian Emeralds, who are known around here, iirc:

I liked it because it illustrates the practical differences between minor and moderate oil.

I hope this helps you a bit on the subject of clarity. Other PSers will be able to advise you more on price, what is reasonable and if something is overpriced.

1. it's more brittle than sapphires and I want to set it in a ring.

You can but you'll have to be careful with it. The below is a bit of an extreme example but also an excellent illustration what daily wear can do to a softer stone.

My mom wore her rings, including this family ring, through everything (EVERYTHING, dishes, cooking, cleaning, gutting and cleaning turkey for thanksgiving, etc.). She never took it off. Several years later my dad had a pendant made to match the ring and she also wore it through everything (which is less wear and tear than a ring, mostly showers, swimming pools, etc)...

She wore them every day for at least 10 years.....until the day she noticed the emerald had cracked. That was when she (and by extension I) learned that gemstones need to be babied.

Looking at these two images side by side should convince you why emerald is not a great side stone choice for a daily-wear ring.
Stones are: blue sapphire, pink tourmaline, peridot, and emerald.

Lab stones will have the same hardness as a natural emerald but fewer inclusions. Less inclusions means they'll be less likely to crack, but they will still be susceptible to the surface damage over time.

 

[Mjay]

First of all, I realize this is totally up to me, but I've been debating about this with myself for a while and just couldn't decide! Dear PSers, please lend your opinions.
I love green gems and have a couple green sapphires, tsavorites and chrysoberyls, but have yet to buy an emerald. I do want to because I feel the color and glow it has it very different from other green stones, but I have a couple hesitations:
1. it's more brittle than sapphires and I want to set it in a ring.
2. I heard you need to re-oil it and I have no idea how that works and not sure if I'll be able to keep track of when to do it. Will it hurt the stone if you don't reoil in time?
3. I don't feel confident that I'll be able to tell if it is a good one or if the price is reasonable. I know one should not expect a totally clean emerald, but how much of a "secret garden" is considered reasonable? And does "insignificant" and "minor" clarity enhancement have a big difference that impact decisions (I know above minor is usually considered not good)?
All help and additional advice is much appreciated!

Funny that you posted this because I have been tossing around the idea of purchasing an emerald as well but I am hesitant for the same reasons that you are. I’m typically not into lab stones but I’m leaning towards trying it out. I think it’s a great idea before committing to throwing down big bucks. I’ve seen some stunning lab created emeralds from Jeff White, Finewater, and precision gems.

 

[Bijouteried]

What about trying a synthetic emerald to see how you like it before deciding whether to spend the money on a natural one?

That is a great idea! I might do that for my next wish.

 

[Timor]

Thanks so much everyone for the advice!! From what everyone said I am really leaning towards trying out with a lab emerald first, seems like the perfect idea to try out emeralds and be at peace at the same time.
At the same time, I saw some (natural ones) in a hexagon shape that I really like...they are more green than bluish green though. Would smaller emeralds not have that much durability problem since the chance for impact is (relatively) smaller? The one I circled is 0.56ct and $700. Or maybe I should look first to see if there's lab in that shape.

I don’t think you should need to be nervous about emeralds. I personally love the colour and it can’t be replicated in sapphire or tourmaline or garnet - nothing else has that same bluish green glow.

I see nothing wrong with “moderate” oil in an emerald. You’ll pay a gigantic step up for minor or insignificant. And that’s coming from someone who only buys unheated sapphires.

You don’t have to reoil them for years - maybe decades if you don’t wear it often. Unless of course you do something silly with it like leaving it on the bottom of your swimming pool or soaking it in alcohol or stream cleaning it with solvent - which I assume you won’t be doing!

Emeralds aren’t as soft as you think. They are still MOHs 7.5 - 8. Compare that to tanzanite at 6 - 7 or Opal at 5-6. Unless you’re VERY hard on your jewellery (or extremely unlucky) an emerald properly set is not “fragile”.

I have several emeralds and have never found them a problem to look after.

A top quality Muzo is on my ideal wish list for one day in the future but not until I win the lottery!

Glad to hear about your positive experience! The "bluish green glow" is exactly what I'm looking for.

I went down the synthetic route and had one custom cut by Jeff W, as a similar earth-mined Emerald in that size and colour was beyond my reach at the time.

Gary B at Finewater Gems currently has a synthetic Emerald listed in case the OP is interested:

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p817/2.74CtLabCreatedEmerald.html

DK

Thank you so much for the link! I will probably buy local but this is really helpful reference. Hope I won't be buying plastic for lab.

As you know, emeralds come pretty included, and the inclusions often reach the surface. At some point humanity figured out they could plop the emerald in a glass of oil, have the oil fill the fissures and make them invisible.

It's literally all there is. Well, nowadays they have machines which create vacuum and suck the air out of the fissures before the oil is applied, which speeds up the process significantly. So instead of leaving the emerald to soak, the oil can be applied within minutes.

The oil can also be removed very easily. That's why everyone says to not leave emeralds in warm water with soap. Ultrasonic cleaning will also demolish all oil and erase it from existence.

The oil doesn't affect the stone itself in any way, it doesn't change the mineral structure, it doesn't alter the colour. It doesn't damage it in any way. But it does make it seem as if there are less inclusions, as if the emerald is more clean and clear. I like to use this example image:

(It's from https://www.ssef.ch/emeralds-and-the-saga-of-cleaning-and-filling-fissures/ which is a very interesting article to read.)

You're probably reaching this conclusion on your own by now, but the reason minor oil is preferred over moderate oil which is preferred over significant oil is because the level of treatment effectively gives you an idea of the actual clarity of the emerald.

Somewhat recently I came across this video from JR Colombian Emeralds, who are known around here, iirc:

I liked it because it illustrates the practical differences between minor and moderate oil.

I hope this helps you a bit on the subject of clarity. Other PSers will be able to advise you more on price, what is reasonable and if something is overpriced.



You can but you'll have to be careful with it. The below is a bit of an extreme example but also an excellent illustration what daily wear can do to a softer stone.

Thank you so much for the wealth of information! You solved a big confusion of mine about clarity: I was really hung up on "how much garden should you expect to see" but seeing your explanations I think the actual scenario is "different level of oil is applied to achieve a similar look"? And good to know that not reoiling timely does not hurt the stone.

Funny that you posted this because I have been tossing around the idea of purchasing an emerald as well but I am hesitant for the same reasons that you are. I’m typically not into lab stones but I’m leaning towards trying it out. I think it’s a great idea before committing to throwing down big bucks. I’ve seen some stunning lab created emeralds from Jeff White, Finewater, and precision gems.

That is a great idea! I might do that for my next wish.

Leaning towards the same!

 

[Mreader]

Thanks a lot for the input! I did look at some websites, and they helped a lot. I guess the most confusing part to me is clarity. I know not to expect eye clean but not sure what's the general expectation beyond that.
I will keep browsing and if I do decide to go for it I will share!



I am looking for quality over size. I am still debating about emerald in general so have not given that much thought to size yet. I will probably get a small one, like 0.6-1ct, for (I don't really know) around $800-1200.

I didn’t read all the replies but @CaseyLouLou is selling a lovely emerald that is .6:

Sold - Glowy Muzo Emerald

I purchased this gorgeous Muzo emerald because I wanted an emerald for my collection even though I don’t really like green. ☺️ Now I need the funds so I’m letting it go. It is a super glowy bluish-green Muzo emerald originally purchased from trusted gemstone vendor Desertrose. This emerald is...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Timor]

I didn’t read all the replies but @CaseyLouLou is selling a lovely emerald that is .6:

Sold - Glowy Muzo Emerald

I purchased this gorgeous Muzo emerald because I wanted an emerald for my collection even though I don’t really like green. ☺️ Now I need the funds so I’m letting it go. It is a super glowy bluish-green Muzo emerald originally purchased from trusted gemstone vendor Desertrose. This emerald is...

www.pricescope.com

Oooh that looks lovely... I was comtemplating on a lab stone based on people's inputs. Now I'm tempted

 

[Mreader]

Oooh that looks lovely... I was comtemplating on a lab stone based on people's inputs. Now I'm tempted no I’m good thank you though I’m over again you can drop them off. Do you whatever you need to do I would make you do that bad kid who was in right? What if he thought of me as a babysitter when you listen or I don’t know I’m just saying like yeah I don’t know if Nancy can just be moving

I love natural emeralds and labs look too clean! I have bought a couple, but sold them bc I just could not get past it - even the ones that had natural looking inclusions. I realize it’s more of a mind thing because lab emeralds are the same composition, but I think the lab emeralds look like super clean emeralds that would cost $$$$$$ so I think that’s why they look unrealistic to me hahha.

 

[LilAlex]

I will probably get a small one, like 0.6-1ct, for (I don't really know) around $800-1200.

At that size and price point, you will be very limited, imo -- it will be fairly heavily treated and you will buy based on appearance alone and with little regard to specs, upkeep, or resale.

In that range, I would look to buy a vintage ring from a reliable vendor (look at Lang in reverse price order, for example, for reference). Any piece of jewelry made with such a stone will cost more than the stone itself and I generally do not like that ratio for custom work (mounting >> center stone). So for inexpensive but "classic" stones (sapphire, ruby, emerald), I think it always pays to shop vintage -- unless there is a stone in hand that has special sentimental value.

 

[Avondale]

Why do I have this strange tingling feeling that someone got an emerald?...

 

[Timor]

At that size and price point, you will be very limited, imo -- it will be fairly heavily treated and you will buy based on appearance alone and with little regard to specs, upkeep, or resale.

In that range, I would look to buy a vintage ring from a reliable vendor (look at Lang in reverse price order, for example, for reference). Any piece of jewelry made with such a stone will cost more than the stone itself and I generally do not like that ratio for custom work (mounting >> center stone). So for inexpensive but "classic" stones (sapphire, ruby, emerald), I think it always pays to shop vintage -- unless there is a stone in hand that has special sentimental value.

Thank you LilAlex! I have not bought preloved before but after I saw CasyLoulou's emerald I browsed the forum and it'll be a new option for me now for the future.

Why do I have this strange tingling feeling that someone got an emerald?...

Alas, that lucky someone is not me I sat on it for like half a day and it's gone... Still emerald-less and regreting.

 

[Avondale]

Thank you LilAlex! I have not bought preloved before but after I saw CasyLoulou's emerald I browsed the forum and it'll be a new option for me now for the future.



Alas, that lucky someone is not me I sat on it for like half a day and it's gone... Still emerald-less and regreting.

Aw, bummer! But you know, if you're now open to both lab material and pre-loved, she has another one - https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/chatham-emerald-lab-grown-emerald-1ct
It's lab made, but it's bigger, greener and cheaper. Perfect to dip your toe in the water.

 

[Timor]

Aw, bummer! But you know, if you're now open to both lab material and pre-loved, she has another one - https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/chatham-emerald-lab-grown-emerald-1ct
It's lab made, but it's bigger, greener and cheaper. Perfect to dip your toe in the water.

For a lab stone I think I will just get one on domestic e-commerce. Thanks so much for looking out for me!

 

[Timor]

Peoples, so…I might have gotten an emerald…
I was browsing online looking at (both lab and natural) emeralds, and there’s this tiny stone looking super glowy. So telling myself that if it doesn’t work out at least I’ll be getting some hands on emerald experience for future reference, I got it.
I think it is very beautiful, and looks very clean with minor oil, but don’t know if I could have done better. (It is $300 for a whooping 0.32ct Brazilian and I think Casey’s origin listing price was $375 for 0.6ct of Muzo - sorry I would have tagged her here for mentioning but don’t know how. The color saturation seems higher but it does not do that whole body glow thing). Do people have any ideas on whether this is a keeper?

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Peoples, so…I might have gotten an emerald…
I was browsing online looking at (both lab and natural) emeralds, and there’s this tiny stone looking super glowy. So telling myself that if it doesn’t work out at least I’ll be getting some hands on emerald experience for future reference, I got it.
I think it is very beautiful, and looks very clean with minor oil, but don’t know if I could have done better. (It is $300 for a whooping 0.32ct Brazilian and I think Casey’s origin listing price was $375 for 0.6ct of Muzo - sorry I would have tagged her here for mentioning but don’t know how. The color saturation seems higher but it does not do that whole body glow thing). Do people have any ideas on whether this is a keeper?

I’m not really an expert but it looks nice to me. It looks darker (but not too dark) than my Muzo but it’s always hard to tell from photos. It might still glow in sunlight - it doesn’t appear that those photos were taken in direct sun. I think lighter ones have more of a glow. It’s a nice color. It’s small but hopefully it’s color is worth it!

 

[Timor]

I’m not really an expert but it looks nice to me. It looks darker (but not too dark) than my Muzo but it’s always hard to tell from photos. It might still glow in sunlight - it doesn’t appear that those photos were taken in direct sun. I think lighter ones have more of a glow. It’s a nice color. It’s small but hopefully it’s color is worth it!

Thank you! And shame I missed your lovely stone. It does appear to be darker. The sun finally came out so I took a couple more pics. It does glow in the proper angle!

 

[Timor]

There’s some inclusions? Fractures? Under the loupe, but I assume that’s normal for emeralds even oiled?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Color and clarity are lovely to my peepers!! How do you feel about the cut?

 

[Timor]

Color and clarity are lovely to my peepers!! How do you feel about the cut?

Hi Autumn! I’ve always had trouble with judging windows in step cuts—how much of a lighter middle makes it a window? There’s a tilt window for sure but I think that’s probably common.
Here’s another pic that shows the cut better.
I must also say that it’s bigger than I expected. I knew emeralds are bigger than sapphires in same weight and cut, but still it’s (slightly) less tiny than I expected which is good!

 

[Timor]

Color and clarity are lovely to my peepers!! How do you feel about the cut?

on white background the center is clearly lighter though, there’s a pic above showing that.