How to examine a Colombian emerald

If you are a knowledge of the emeralds or if on the contrary you want to learn about them, it is important to know how to manipulate them at the time of examining them and later acquiring them.

And it may seem surprising, but if you could average, we would say that at least 3 in 5 people don't know how to observe an emerald through the magnifying glass, or they just drop it because they don't know how to use the tweezers.

For them and for those who want to learn to manipulate a Colombian emerald correctly we have created this article.

How do you examine an emerald?

Examining an emerald requires careful analysis of the naked eye and should preferably be done by someone with experience manipulating gems. Here are some tips you can apply when you have an emerald in your hands.

• Visual observation: First, examine the emerald with the naked eye in a well-lit environment. Look at its color, brilliance and transparency. High-quality emeralds must have an intense and live green color, with a transparency that allows the entry of light.
• Check the cut and shape: Check if the emerald has a proper cut and symmetrical. A good cut will enhance the beauty of the stone and allow the light to be properly reflected.
• Inclusions and clarity: Emeralds often have inclusions, which are natural imperfections. These inclusions are like fingerprints of the emerald and can help confirm their authenticity. However, too many important inclusions or imperfections can affect the beauty and quality of the stone.
• Weight and size: If possible, use a precision scale to measure the weight of the emerald in carats. It also measures its dimensions (length, width and depth) to have an idea of its size.
• Certification: If the emerald is valuable or of high quality, consider obtaining a certificate of authenticity and evaluation of a recognized gemology laboratory. This will provide precise details on the quality, origin and characteristics of the stone.

What elements should I use to examine an emerald?

To examine an emerald, you can use a series of elements and tools that will help you evaluate its quality and authenticity. Here is a list of some items you can use:

1. Magnifying magnifying A magnifying glass is an essential tool to examine the internal inclusions and characteristics of the emerald. A jewelry magnifying glass with at least 10x magnifying is suitable for this purpose.
2. Bright and well balanced light: The right lighting is essential to evaluate the color and transparency of the emerald. Use a bright and balanced light source to examine the stone in a well-lit environment.
3. Prowds: the clamps are perhaps one of the indispensable tools when examining emeralds. These allow a perfect grip and used correctly will prevent the gems from slipping or staining with prints.
4. Knuckle: If you want to measure the weight of the emerald in carats, a precision balance will allow you to get an accurate measurement.
5. Laboratory certificate: If emerald is valuable or high quality, having a certificate of authenticity and evaluation of a recognized gemology laboratory is highly recommended. This will provide detailed information on the quality and characteristics of the stone.

Paula A. Bonilla 

Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweler and is passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and national high jewelry.

Currently, she is working for one of Bogotá's most important jewelry stores, Emerald by Love. This jewelry store has over 40 years of experience and has 2 physical branches in the capital city of Colombia, located in the city center.