In addition to decent size and weight, the criteria for the quality of an emerald are its shade and clarity. A highly saturated green crystal is many times more expensive than its light yellow or gray counterpart. The cost of such emeralds reaches 8.5 thousand dollars per 1 carat. This makes them the best lots at jewelry auctions and attracts increased attention from wealthy representatives of the upper classes.
Rare green crystals
Emerald belongs to the beryl group and has the chemical formula Be3Al2Si6O18. What distinguishes emerald from traditional transparent stones is the presence of impurities of chromium, vanadium or iron oxide, which give it green shades of varying degrees of saturation.
The cost of an emerald, like other gems, depends on the size in mm and weight, measured in carats (0.2 grams). If they say that a crystal weighs 15 carats, then its real weight is 3 grams, which is a lot for emeralds.
Due to the rarity of finding large emeralds in natural conditions, they are highly valued. Even a high-quality uncut crystal weighing more than 4 or 5 carats is much more expensive than the same pure diamond.
Several main factors influence how much an uncut crystal will cost. Firstly, this is its size and weight, secondly, the intensity of the green glow, and thirdly, transparency and the presence of natural defects.
Determine the weight of the stone by size
To simplify the description of the properties of gems and determine how much they can cost, various color scales are used.
You can distinguish natural emerald from synthetic (S) or fake emerald using an officially approved table of the ratio of the sizes of cut crystals in mm to their weight in carats. Any significant deviation from the norm means that this is a fake or synthetic emerald of low quality.
Table of ratios of the size and weight of emeralds depending on the type of cut:
Criteria for assessing beauty and cost
It was the color and purity of emeralds, and not just the carat value, that made the stone one of the most popular gems in the world, which every collector wants to own. Due to the great rarity of large stones and the difficulty of cutting them perfectly, transparency and other quality characteristics of emerald come first.
To determine the quality of an emerald, you need to carefully consider the color scheme and pay close attention to the shades.
The main color of natural stone is deep green. It is ensured by the presence of chromium atoms in the crystal lattice. The higher the concentration of chromium, the darker the emerald, the brighter its glow, and the higher its value.
Secondary shades of color are blue, which gives emerald a cold glow, and warmer yellow.
Traditionally, emeralds with a blue glow are valued at a higher price, and the largest stones of these shades are sold more expensive than diamonds. The presence of yellow tones reduces the cost of the crystal, which can be $350-375 per 1 carat.
Sometimes people wonder what the mark 1/1, 2/2 or 3/3 means after the word emerald. For example, let’s look at what 3/3 M means in deciphering the characteristics of a stone. These numbers indicate that the cut crystal is graded according to its color and clarity. Emeralds of the first order have the highest value, and emerald 2 is inferior to them in price. It is even worse if the purity is rated 3, which indicates low transparency of the mineral.
They also put two more letters “B M” on the tag. The first means that the purity of the stone was determined visually. The M symbol in the decoding indicates the type of cut, in this case it is marquise.
Variety of colors and shades
The lowest quality crystals are characterized by the presence of a yellowish-gray tint. They most often cannot be cut, but are used to grow hydrothermal crystals that have a rich green color. Read more in the article “What are hydrothermal emeralds: types of synthetic stones.”
Depending on the presence of green, blue and yellow shades, the following groups of emerald colors are distinguished:
- bright green;
- bright green with a subtle bluish tint;
- bright green with a clearly defined bluish tint;
- green;
- green with a pale blue tint;
- green with a noticeable tint of blue;
- yellowish-green.
The difference between individual groups of flowers may be barely noticeable due to the fact that natural emerald is usually small in size and weight. Only a professional jeweler with extensive experience can determine it.
Modern types of gem cutting make it possible to level out the difference in color, giving a less expensive stone more refined features.
Color classification according to TU and GIA
To determine the value of emeralds in Russia, the 1988 Specifications are used. According to the technical specifications, emerald purity and color characteristics are divided into 5 categories, each of which has its own standard.
The stone with the most saturated color is classified as the first quality category, and crystals of group 5, which have a yellowish-gray color, are very often transferred to the beryl group and are not considered emeralds.
Next, we will tell you how to determine the purity and color of an emerald using the GIA scale.
To determine the quality of a crystal, experts compare gems with reference samples and only after that decide which color group to classify the stone into.
The GIA world classification of emeralds provides for the use of a special set for determining the color of stones, GIA GemSet. Emeralds include standards selected for purity with color tones ranging from 3 to 8 and color saturation of 2-5.
The best color according to this classification is bG 5/5, and the best purity group is the third.
Table of the ratio of purity and color of precious stones according to the international classification:
Artificial emerald
Artificial emeralds
Many countries have tried to synthesize emeralds since the mid-19th century. The first successful attempt belongs to the French and dates back to 1888. But they were able to complete the synthesis and obtain a full-fledged crystal only in 1935.
This was done by the German scientist G. Espig together with his colleagues from. They named their precious “brainchild” “Igmerald”. The name is obtained by adding the English word emerald, which means “emerald”, and the first two letters of the name. Igmeralds began to be synthesized on an industrial scale in 1940.
Modern artificial emeralds are indistinguishable from natural prototypes in color, and are significantly superior in quality, but such stones are much cheaper. Several countries synthesize emeralds - Germany and France, the USA and Belarus, Russia, Japan and Switzerland.
Synthetic faceted emerald
The leading position in this area is occupied by the joint venture of Russia and Thailand - Tyrus. Their gems are similar in appearance and composition to Colombian stones.
The nuances of the synthesis technology are kept secret by manufacturers. It is only known that crystals are grown using the flux method using a platinum crucible, into which a filling of natural emeralds is placed.
Moderate color saturation increases the cost of the crystal
The color of an emerald plays a key role in determining value, but it is important that the stone has richness and intensity. If the glow of the crystal is not intense, then it looks grayish and lifeless. The number of people who want to have it in their jewelry collection is reduced to zero. Only individual collectors with specific tastes purchase such stones in the hope that over time fashion will change and their price will increase.
There are stones with excessive green intensity. This means that the emerald acquires a black-green color. With this minus it will cost less. Only large-sized emeralds are highly valued, and small crystals are mainly sent for processing into synthetic stone.
The optimal color saturation is considered to be 70-80%, and crystals with higher or lower values lose significantly in price.
How to arrange an emerald living room?
The living room usually has a fairly spacious interior, which is the center of home life. So where can you use emerald wall paint if not here? You can combine emerald walls with a green sofa and armchairs, tables or wardrobe. However, it's worth breaking up this much greenery with subtle additions of refreshing white, gray or gold. One or two elements in black won’t hurt either, it will protect the living room from monotony.
Emerald can also be introduced into the living room with furniture. An intense green sofa flowing against a crisp white or slightly gray wall will have a huge impact. The living room is an executive room, so let's not be afraid to add luxury - emerald furniture and walls will look great in the company of gold accessories, such as elegant lamps, mirror and picture frames, modern candlesticks and designer trinkets.
The presence of defects is a sign of naturalness and authenticity
Natural emeralds necessarily have voids, cracks and foreign inclusions. A low quality stone is usually cloudy and even when cut it looks opaque.
The cost of emerald jewelry that can be used in jewelry directly depends on parameters such as surface heterogeneity, as well as the presence of cracks and chips.
Gemologists pay attention to the size of defects and their location in the internal structure of the mineral. The shade of organic inclusions matters, and cloudy crystals are valued much cheaper than transparent ones.
The quality of emeralds and their value is determined by the depth of color and its saturation, and also depends on transparency, the presence of foreign inclusions and voids.
Remember what the presence of inclusions in emeralds in the form of defects and voids means. This is proof of the authenticity of natural emeralds. Their absence characterizes the stone grown under artificial conditions.
What zodiac signs is it suitable for?
Emerald is a talisman or piece of jewelry for protection , self-preservation, and also for travelers to attract wealth, success, strength in the family and fidelity of spouses.
According to the horoscope, the stone is suitable for Libra, Leo, and Aquarius. Can be worn esoterically by Cancer, Taurus, Sagittarius, Gemini and Virgo. This is an excellent talisman against the effects of bad and negative habits, bringing thinking and optimism to its owner, joy in life, finding meaning in all your victories and failures.
Gemini carriers of this stone begin to better navigate the most confusing and difficult situations in life, and solve their problems much easier.
Sagittarians wear the stone for self-affirmation , protection from anxiety, restlessness and temporary failures.
For Taurus women, the stone will bring brightness, luck, and emotionality to life.
Cancers, Taurus and Sagittarius – calmness and tranquility due to their excessive vulnerability and often inability to control their emotions.
Aquarius is the emerald:
- will teach you to be restrained;
- value well-being in the family;
- will bring peace, love, support to the house;
- will drive away all bad people and enemies;
- will help avoid stress and attacks of anger.
For pregnant women, women in labor and children, emerald will become a talisman against the evil eye, protection of family relationships, a talisman of fidelity and love in the family. In addition, it is simply an excellent beautiful decoration, if you also choose a stone for a person taking into account his zodiac sign and individual qualities.
The value of the stone for the owner will increase significantly and it will certainly bring invaluable benefits and support, eliminate anxiety, nervousness and irritability, and strengthen memory.
Many Geminis are not talkative, do not like to communicate with people, and because of their reticence, they often do not have friends. They are shown wearing this stone.
But emotional and sensitive Cancers, who constantly hide their feelings and emotions, should wear a stone for calmness and the ability to maintain control over themselves. Wearing an emerald for Cancers is the best medicine and brings fun, joy, and positivity into life, in particular getting rid of melancholy.
Learning to determine the naturalness of emerald
If you decide to purchase a piece of jewelry inlaid with emeralds, then, first of all, pay attention to the tag indicating the properties of the crystal. It should include the type of gemstone, its carat weight, color and clarity, and cut type.
Take a caliper and measure the size of the stone in mm. Compare the weight of the crystal indicated on the tag with the data in a special table, which is available in every self-respecting jewelry store.
Even a slight deviation from the norm indicates that this is an ennobled or hydrothermal crystal. A major difference means that you are looking at fluorite or a piece of green glass.
If a synthetic emerald is used in a product, then the Latin letter S must be present on the tag. The absence of this letter indicates that this is a natural emerald.
Magical
The magic of emerald is aimed at ridding the owner of addictions, bad habits and inclinations. The amulet has the properties of suppressing the thirst for violence, the desire to deceive, and organize scams. The gem is an amulet for married couples. It will protect you from adultery and family discord. For people who are not prone to vices and sinful addictions, the talisman brings good luck.
Emerald is considered a “feminine” stone. In ancient times, the magical gem was a symbol of the goddess Isis. According to legend, the goddess gave crystals to young mothers when they prayed for the health and well-being of their children. In Rus', the amulet personified courage, inner strength, wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. It was used by magicians for rituals and as an amulet.
The magical properties of the emerald stone are aimed at getting rid of evil impulses. The gem severely punishes lies. He sends misfortunes and incurable serious illnesses to liars and envious people.
The magic stone helps psychics and bioenergetics specialists communicate with the dead. The crystal is the favorite esoteric “tool” of necromancers. The energy of emerald allows you to go beyond the boundaries of consciousness and come into contact with Higher powers. During astral travel, the soul is protected by the stone. If the material is artificial, it does not have magical properties.
The magic of emerald gems will help creative, extraordinary individuals who need energy recharge and are characterized by lability of the nervous system. With them, harmony will come into life, sources of inspiration will become inexhaustible.
If a woman wants to become pregnant, her husband must give her a precious gem. In order for an heir to be born, the cut of the magic amulet must be gold. For girls, silver is preferable. The expectant mother keeps a diamond or emerald with her at all times, even at the time of the birth of the baby. It will reflect negativity from the baby and the woman in labor and will facilitate the birth process.
