51
1- The most well-known fact is that an emerald
will always show visible inclusions, in fact any
emerald without inclusions is suspected to be
synthetic or imitation. Emerald inclusions, which
are caused by calcite deposits are called “jardin”
a French term meaning garden, because they
resemble the intricate pattern of a summer
garden.
2- In an emerald, color is paramount. Its green
is incomparable! And as an ancient Roman
historian said “no green soothes to the eye as
the green of emeralds”. The finest have a deep,
intense, glowing green, and associated with a
good, crystal clarity and a decent carat weight.
3- Faceted emeralds come in a variety of shapes:
rounds, pears, ovals, emerald-cuts, etc. But it is
the “emerald cut” or octagon that is the most
popular and classical shape for emeralds. The
reason why this shape is so “popular” has to
do with the natural shape of the rough crystal
and its cleavage. Following in order of popularity
or better of availability, pear shapes, ovals,
marquises, rounds. Round shapes over 1/2 carat
in weight are very rare and always command
premiums.
4- Cabochon cuts are the oldest way to cut
emeralds before the world knew faceting
methods. As in facet grade material, also
cabochon emeralds come in different grades.
5- All emeralds are oil-treated when they are
cut to reduce the likelihood of fracture. This
treatment is perfectly acceptable in the gem
trade. However, coloring emeralds with green
substances is unacceptable, unless disclosed.
Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May.
What to look for in an
Emerald?
Emerald is a gemstone, and
a variety of the mineral beryl
(Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green
by trace amounts of chromium
and sometimes vanadium.
Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8
on the 10-point Mohs scale
of mineral hardness. Most
emeralds are highly included,
so their toughness (resistance
to breakage) is classified as
generally poor.