The facts
What emerald actually is
The species behind emerald is beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈; it forms in the hexagonal system.
Chromium, sometimes vanadium is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.577–1.583 and a specific gravity of about 2.67–2.78, with imperfect, one direction cleavage.
Where emerald comes from
Commercial material comes from Muzo and Chivor, Colombia, Panjshir, Afghanistan, Kagem, Zambia, Itabira, Brazil and Swat, Pakistan.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How emerald is treated
Almost always fissure-filled with oil or resin. Grade of filling must be disclosed.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What emerald is confused with
Watch for Tsavorite, Green tourmaline, Chrome diopside, Peridot and Green glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.577–1.583 and specific gravity 2.67–2.78 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What emerald is used for
The trades that buy emerald are jewellery, mineral collecting and carving and sculpture. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the specimen or by the block.
Durability and care
Emerald is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, with imperfect, one direction cleavage.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What emerald costs
Expect roughly $300–30,000/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is emerald treated, and how?
Almost always fissure-filled with oil or resin. Grade of filling must be disclosed.
Where does emerald come from?
Muzo and Chivor, Colombia, Panjshir, Afghanistan, Kagem, Zambia, Itabira, Brazil and Swat, Pakistan. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is emerald hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect, one direction cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does emerald cost?
Indicatively $300–30,000/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is emerald confused with?
Most often Tsavorite, Green tourmaline, Chrome diopside, Peridot and Green glass. A refractive index of 1.577–1.583 and a specific gravity near 2.67–2.78 separate it quickly.
What is emerald used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and carving and sculpture. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for emerald?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about emerald