Do all emeralds have treatments?

When we talk about Colombian emeralds, one of the most frequently asked questions is: Do all emeralds have treatments?

The answer is no. Not all Colombian emeralds are treated. Some can be found and sold practically in their natural state, while others receive enhancements to improve their appearance, especially to disguise or fill small fractures that reach the surface.

The most well-known treatment in emeralds is oiling, a traditional practice in the gemstone trade that has been used for many years. But how can you tell if an emerald has been treated? What does it mean when an emerald has oil? Is an untreated emerald worth more? In this article, we explain everything in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

What Does It Mean for an Emerald to Be Treated?

A treated emerald is one that has undergone a procedure after extraction to improve certain aspects of its appearance. In emeralds, the most common treatment is clarity enhancement through the use of substances that fill surface-reaching fractures.

This is important because emeralds are gemstones that commonly contain internal inclusions and fractures. In fact, these characteristics are part of the stone's natural formation and can help identify its natural origin.

For this reason, finding an emerald that is completely free of inclusions is uncommon.

Are All Colombian Emeralds Oiled?

No. Although oiling is a very common treatment for emeralds, this does not mean that all Colombian emeralds have been treated with oil.

Some Colombian emeralds can be sold without clarity enhancement, while others may have received different levels of treatment.

In an emerald that has received clarity enhancement, the material used may occupy small spaces within fractures and make them less visible to the naked eye.

The main purpose is to improve the gemstone's appearance, not to change its nature.

Why Are Emeralds Oiled?

Oiling is primarily performed to visually improve the clarity of an emerald.

Fractures that reach the surface can be more visible and affect the appearance of the stone. By introducing a substance into these small cavities, some of the fractures may become less noticeable.

For this reason, an oiled emerald may appear cleaner and more transparent than it did before treatment.

However, it is important to understand that treatment does not turn a low-quality emerald into a high-quality emerald. The gemstone's natural quality remains fundamental.

What Types of Enhancements Can Emeralds Have?

When talking about emerald treatments, it is important to distinguish between procedures used to improve clarity and other processes.

1. Oiling

Oiling is one of the most traditional and well-known treatments. It involves introducing oil or another suitable substance into fractures that reach the surface of the emerald.

The goal is to reduce the visibility of these fractures and improve the gemstone's appearance.

2. Resins

In addition to oil, other substances can be used to fill fractures in certain emeralds.

For this reason, when purchasing an important gemstone, it is not enough to simply ask whether it is "oiled." It is advisable to know what substance was used and the degree of treatment.

3. Untreated Emeralds

There are also emeralds that have not received clarity enhancement. These stones can be particularly interesting to collectors and buyers looking for a gemstone that is as close as possible to its natural state.

However, "untreated" does not automatically mean "better" in every respect. The quality of an emerald depends on several factors.

Is an Untreated Emerald Worth More?

In many cases, an untreated emerald can command a higher value than another emerald with similar characteristics that has been treated.

This is because the absence of treatment can increase its rarity and appeal to certain buyers and collectors.

However, treatment is not the only factor that determines price.

The value of a Colombian emerald depends on different characteristics, including:

• Color.

• Saturation.

• Clarity.

• Transparency.

• Size.

• Cut.

• Origin.

• Enhancements.

• Overall gemstone quality.

• Certification, when applicable.

For example, an untreated Colombian emerald with an unattractive color will not necessarily be more valuable than a treated emerald with exceptional color and excellent overall characteristics.

Does Treatment Affect the Quality of an Emerald?

Treatment is certainly a factor that should be considered, but it does not mean that a treated emerald is a low-quality gemstone.

Oiling is a widely recognized practice in the emerald industry. What matters is knowing what treatment the stone has received and its degree. An emerald may have a minor degree of treatment and still be a high-quality and beautiful gemstone.

That is why, when buying a Colombian emerald, it is recommended not to focus solely on whether or not it has oil.

How Can You Tell If a Colombian Emerald Has Been Treated?

The safest way to determine the treatment of a valuable emerald is to request a gemological evaluation or certificate from a specialized laboratory.

A professional can examine the gemstone and determine characteristics such as:

• Whether it has received clarity enhancement.

• The degree of treatment.

• The type of material used, when it can be determined.

• The internal characteristics of the stone.

• Whether there are indications of additional treatments.

For an important purchase, a certificate can provide much more precise information than a simple visual inspection.

Is a Treated Colombian Emerald Still Natural?

Yes. An emerald can be natural and treated at the same time. "Natural" and "treated" are not opposite concepts.

Natural refers to the origin of the gemstone: it formed in nature and was not created in a laboratory. Treated means that, after extraction, it underwent a procedure to improve certain aspects of its appearance.

This is why we can find a natural Colombian emerald that has received clarity enhancement.

Do Inclusions Mean That an Emerald Is Low Quality?

Not necessarily. Inclusions are a very common characteristic of natural emeralds.

In fact, in gemology, the term "jardin" or "garden" is often used to describe the internal inclusions of an emerald, referring to the characteristic appearance these gemstones can have.

What matters is evaluating the type of inclusions present, where they are located, how much they affect transparency, and whether there are fractures that could compromise the stone's durability.

An emerald with inclusions can be extremely valuable if it has exceptional color and outstanding overall characteristics.

Is It Better to Buy an Emerald With Oil or Without Oil?

There is no single answer. The choice depends on what you are looking for and your budget.

If you are looking for an emerald for jewelry, a treated stone can offer an excellent appearance and a good balance between its characteristics and price.

If you are looking for an especially rare gemstone for a collection, an untreated natural emerald may be much more appealing.

In either case, the most important thing is to make an informed purchase and have clear information about the gemstone.

Does Oil Make an Emerald Fake?

No. An oiled emerald is not a fake emerald. Oiling is a treatment applied to a natural gemstone to improve its appearance.

What matters is that the treatment is properly disclosed and that the buyer understands the stone's actual characteristics.

A natural Colombian emerald can be authentic and treated at the same time.

Should All Colombian Emeralds Have a Certificate?

Not all emeralds are legally required to have a certificate in order to exist or be sold.

However, a gemological certificate can be very important when dealing with a gemstone of significant value.

A certificate can provide independent information about characteristics such as the identity of the gemstone, its origin when the laboratory is able to determine it, treatments, and other gemological observations.

For an important purchase, having appropriate documentation provides greater confidence and transparency.

Buy Colombian Emeralds With Confidence

At Emerald By Love, we work with Colombian emeralds and jewelry made in Colombia.

If you are looking for a Colombian emerald, an emerald jewelry piece, or simply want to learn more about treatments, origin, and the characteristics of these gemstones, our team can help you understand what you are buying and which factors influence its value.

Because every emerald is different, and understanding its history, characteristics, and treatment is part of truly appreciating one of the world's most fascinating gemstones.

Paula A. Bonilla
Social Communicator and Journalist from Universidad Sergio Arboleda in Colombia.