Which emerald is the better one...Colombian, Brazilian, or African? Is my emerald oiled or not? All these questions, we all ask and many other questions regarding emeralds. The most scary purchase of gems?
The starting point is that most of us get our gem education from our local jewelers, the only fact that we forget about is that not all jewelers are graduate gemologists or experienced as specialized color stones dealers. They may be experienced with setting stones, gold and precious metals or diamonds as most of them are, but when it comes to color stones, how many jewelers have chipped or broke a stone because they do not know the gemological properties of such gems?
Do not take me wrong, many jewelers are well experienced, very knowledgeable about gemstones and color stones, specifically if they have been in business long enough, some are G.I.A. graduates. Did you verify that before you got your information from the local jeweler? Another fact is jewelers are in business to sell you jewelry, but not in business to educate consumers. Degree of honesty may vary, however, you canít blame a jeweler because he did not educate you enough or told you all !!
1st Question: Which emerald is better?
Answer: The best emerald is simply the best emerald, no discrimination. However, it seems that Colombian Emeralds are more popular for historical reasons and because of their ability to come by, in large clear crystals. However, many Colombian Emeralds are mined in lowest grade possible, especially, the very light in color (sometimes called green beryl). The rule set by G.I.A. is the 4 C's (Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight), when all 4 C's are well rated, then this is the better emerald. |
- African Emeralds tend to be sometimes bluish in tone, but in such a brilliance that hardly occurs in any other emerald, its luster is amazing for an emerald. Some African Emeralds come by in a deep green color, when eye clean, transparent, they are highly priced.
- Colombian Emeralds commonly are lighter green, but fine Colombian Emeralds have the best green you will ever see in your life!! These ones are outrageously priced among dealers if the 4 C's are highly rated.
- Brazilian Emeralds, these days hardly can compete in the emerald market for 3 reasons:
(1) Darker the better: Not always, but in Brazilian Emeralds, you can find so deep of a green, almost black crystals known as commercial grades emeralds, but no life usually included with a lot of carbon spots that are easily noticeable.
(2) Large portion of the Brazilian production being cut in India (commercial grade rough materials) are natively cut in India with poor cut proportions.
(3) The ones that are nicely cut in Brazil with excellent Emerald cutting proportions are either highly priced, so they cannot compete with the Colombian Emeralds or they are (opticon treated) and most of the dealers and jewelers stay away of such treatment (dying emerald with green color agent).
2nd Question: Has my emerald been oiled?
Answer: Yes, it has been. There is no emerald that hasn't been. Do not believe a seller that tells you his emerald was not oiled. Oiling emeralds is necessary to their hardness and nature of being always included and in order to keep their natural inclusions internally and not developing into exterior fractures (usually done with colorless oil). But make sure your emerald is not dying or opticon treated (color enhanced). Do not worry if your emerald has been routinely oiled. Antique emeralds have been oiled over hundreds of years and this is the best way to keep their luster and durable beauty.
Mr. G.
September 1999 |
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