Emeralds are a green beryl variety beloved for their high translucence, hardness, and rich green hue. Beryl is naturally colorless but the presence of chromium creates the signature green color emeralds are known for. The more chromium in the beryl, the more richly saturated the gemstone.

Some emeralds are paler or slightly grayish-green from trace impurities, such as iron which creates an aquamarine color. Emeralds are the May Birthstone. They symbolize rebirth, abundance, wisdom, serenity, rejuvenation, divinity, royalty, and prosperity.

FAQs

Where are emeralds from?

Colombia produces the finest emeralds with exceptional color and clarity. Zambian emeralds showcase a bluish-green hue with vibrant saturation. They are also mined in Brazil and Zimbabwe.

What are the key characteristics of a high-quality emerald stone?

An emerald’s characteristics and value are determined by the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The most valuable emeralds are richly saturated and highly transparent. While common, stones with the fewest visible inclusions are the most treasured.

What are the different grades of real emerald stones?

Emeralds fall into four grades:

Heirloom or Natural AAAA: Rarest, most expensive emeralds; perfect saturation; little to no inclusions; impeccable quality
Best or AAA: The top 10%, high-quality; richly saturated; mild to moderate inclusions
Better or AA: 20-30% of all gemstones; medium-green; moderate inclusions
Good or A: 50-75% of stones; dark green; heavy occlusions; opaque; lowest quality grade

How can I verify the authenticity of an emerald stone?

To authenticate a real emerald, it’s best to have a professional gemologist evaluate it. It’s essential to buy from a reputable seller with a certificate of authenticity from an agency like AGL or GIA.

What should I look for when buying emeralds?

The most treasured emerald stones have a stunning pure green to bluish green color. Look for vivid saturation and an even tone that’s not too light or dark with no color zoning. Real emerald stones will be highly transparent with no visible inclusions. Look for excellent clarity, an impeccable cut, and great quality when you buy emerald stones.

How should I care for my emerald stones to ensure they maintain their beauty?

Emeralds are quite durable for daily wear and rank 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale. They can be prone to cracking from natural inclusions. To protect them, clean them regularly with warm mild soapy water and a soft brush. Don’t soak them or leave them unattended. Keep them away from harsh chemicals, detergents, and cleaning supplies, and remove them when cleaning, exercising, or when you’re in hot temperatures.

How do the prices of your emerald stones compare to other retailers?

The prices of our real emerald stones are highly competitive to other retailers. The industry standard pricing for emeralds ranges from $200-$1,800. We offer emeralds in every weight, color, and quality to meet your budget.

Do you offer certification for the emerald stones you sell?

Our Gemstone Sheriff program lets you audit any product, including thousands of our real emerald stones, by an independent gemologist to verify the stone’s authenticity.

Are there any treatments or enhancements commonly applied to emerald stones?

Cedarwood oil is commonly added to emerald gemstones to fill fractures within the stone. Other treatments include dyeing and fracture-filling with an epoxy resin to enhance the stone’s appearance. All dyes and treatments should be disclosed by the gemstone dealer.

What is the process for purchasing an emerald stone from your site?

Browse our emerald category and find thousands of gemstones available for sale or auction. You can purchase emeralds, make the seller an offer, or jump into the exciting world of gemstone auctions and bid on open reserve or no reserve emeralds starting as low as $1.

Our striking emerald stones are industry-vetted and include certifications of authenticity. We have stringent quality control thanks to our Verified Seller program. We also offer a free Gemstone Sheriff program which lets you audit any item with a certified gemologist.

Further Reading