What do you think of this emerald?

[freezing_in_MO]

Emeralds are my passion. I am slowly learning about them, and this forum has been very helpful.

I would appreciate feedback on this emerald posted on LT.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...top-color-1-dot-11ct-muzo-mine-emerald-no-oil

It is from Muzo, 1.11 carats, no oil.

From the description: "Color is true to a top tier emerald...even at its modest size of 6.94x5.18x3.91mm, the hue is deep and lustrous. Under magnification you can detect a few tiny surface reaching fissures...being that it is untreated, they're very insignificant and pose no structural issues as the stone is well built around the edges."

I am aware of CvB's reputation and have read the posts on the two emerald rings recently discussed. Both are beautiful, in completely different ways.

Thanks in advance for participating in this lesson on emerald analysis.

 

[T L]

It's way too difficult to properly assess an emerald from photos, especially without a reputable lab report that indicates the degree and type of enhancement.

 

[freezing_in_MO]

Thanks for responding. Would anyone with a CvB piece care to chime in?
So far, TL has kindly pointed out that the need for certification. What else should someone considering such a purchase have in mind?

 

[mochiko42]

I would ask for a hand shot and possibly a AGL report with origin since the Muzo name and no-treatment designation carry a premium (although personally I don't always bother with stones under $1500 when purchasing from a trusted vendor that I've bought from before, but I don't recommend that for everyone as each person has different thresholds of comfort in terms of lab reports vs value).

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I think it is lovely and would look stunning in a ring. But like others have suggested I would want a lab report.

 

[freezing_in_MO]

Mochiko and Lisa, thank you very much for chiming in. You have been very helpful!

 

[arkieb1]

Ask her for a pic on the back of a hand so you can get an accurate idea of colour and an accurate idea of how clean it actually is or isn't.

 

[LD]

It is a good colour BUT I actually would be worried about the surface reaching inclusions. I would therefore echo TL's suggestion of a lab report and would make the sale conditional on a favourable report (and I would ask the lab for their opinion on the inclusions/stability). If the seller is happy for you to go ahead on that basis then that'd be great. One thing I would add is that one of the inclusions (the one that looks like a cloud) is pretty much in the centre of the stone and therefore will attract your eye. If you're happy with seeing includions then there's no problem. For me, it'd drive me potty but I do appreciate Emeralds with fewer inclusions are more expensive/difficult to source.

 

[freezing_in_MO]

Many thanks. That is an excellent suggestion. I got excited about this stone because of the reaction to the three-stone ring she posted a week or so ago. That one was gorgeous.

Ask her for a pic on the back of a hand so you can get an accurate idea of colour and an accurate idea of how clean it actually is or isn't.

 

[freezing_in_MO]

It's so nice to see your giant alexandrite avatar again! I have learned so much from your posts!

Excellent suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Inclusions can drive me batty, but I like everything else about the stone, especially the color. It's still good to be reminded that the inclusions could be an eyesore. My first emerald has an inclusion that refuses to be unseen.

It is a good colour BUT I actually would be worried about the surface reaching inclusions. I would therefore echo TL's suggestion of a lab report and would make the sale conditional on a favourable report (and I would ask the lab for their opinion on the inclusions/stability). If the seller is happy for you to go ahead on that basis then that'd be great. One thing I would add is that one of the inclusions (the one that looks like a cloud) is pretty much in the centre of the stone and therefore will attract your eye. If you're happy with seeing includions then there's no problem. For me, it'd drive me potty but I do appreciate Emeralds with fewer inclusions are more expensive/difficult to source.

 

[lilmosun]

I don't know much about emeralds so my thoughts are more questions than statements of facts. I thought that most emeralds have surface reaching inclusions and that was why most automatically get soaked in oil right out of the mines. Thus it would be expected that they are more visible in an untreated emerald. By the same note an untreated emerald is rare. I don't know if the emerald was never oiled or is being sold as untreated because the stone is old and the oil is now gone...or if it makes a difference and a lab could tell. I would assume so given untreated emeralds are rarer? I don't know how the inclusions seen compare to what exist but is masked by treatments. If I were looking for an untreated emerald, I would consider this one with a lab report as others suggest.

 

[Seaglow]

I don't know much about emeralds so my thoughts are more questions than statements of facts. I thought that most emeralds have surface reaching inclusions and that was why most automatically get soaked in oil right out of the mines. Thus it would be expected that they are more visible in an untreated emerald. By the same note an untreated emerald is rare. I don't know if the emerald was never oiled or is being sold as untreated because the stone is old and the oil is now gone...or if it makes a difference and a lab could tell. I would assume so given untreated emeralds are rarer? I don't know how the inclusions seen compare to what exist but is masked by treatments. If I were looking for an untreated emerald, I would consider this one with a lab report as others suggest.

Emerald is one of the trickiest stones to buy these days. One of my cutters just told me he knows someone who bought a US$28,000 Columbian stone. When the person sent it to the lab, the emerald has had 4 different types of treatment.

 

[Arkteia]

Emerald is one of the trickiest stones to buy these days. One of my cutters just told me he knows someone who bought a US$28,000 Columbian stone. When the person sent it to the lab, the emerald has had 4 different types of treatment.

This is what I thought. Older oiled emeralds are way more acceptable than newer polymer-treated, but what if people use both treatments, to change F2 to "looking like F1", basically?

I heard Brazilian are irradiated. I shudder to think that the same may be done to a Colombian.

What is 4th type of treament? Just for my interest.

 

[freezing_in_MO]

Many thanks to all for taking the time to respond. I love emeralds, so what I am learning from your posts will be useful for long after this potential purchase.

The salesman who sold me an emerald in Brazil (at a very old jeweler in Rio) insisted that emeralds are rarely even oiled in Brazil - "that's what the Colombians do"!

 

[Seaglow]

This is what I thought. Older oiled emeralds are way more acceptable than newer polymer-treated, but what if people use both treatments, to change F2 to "looking like F1", basically?

I heard Brazilian are irradiated. I shudder to think that the same may be done to a Colombian.

What is 4th type of treament? Just for my interest.

Yes some are irradiated. Some have colored oils. But usually:

- Fillers: Oil/Resin/Glass/Wax (can be - combination of two fillers in a stone, some place glass or resin, then oil them)
- Heating

Then some have laser treatment prior to filling and oiling.

 

[Arkteia]

Yes some are irradiated. Some have colored oils. But usually:

- Fillers: Oil/Resin/Glass/Wax (can be - combination of two fillers in a stone, some place glass or resin, then oil them)
- Heating

Then some have laser treatment prior to filling and oiling.

This is how one loses trust in mankind, lol.

 

[Seaglow]

This is how one loses trust in mankind, lol.

There are those in the trade that really meant to deceive. They put resin or glass then oil them, so the buyer thinks the stones are only oiled.