When to say NO to a Colombian emerald

Many travel to Colombia with the sole mission of acquiring a 100% national natural emerald. However, although the desire is many, there are times when indisputably it must be said that NO to certain stones.

Either way because it doesn't meet the degree of cleaning that is expected or because it just doesn't reach the price you need, then we'll tell you the cases that can be presented and how to find a solution.

How to buy emeralds?

Colombia is characterized by its mineral mineral wealth, being the second exporter of emeralds in the world. Therefore, it is normal to want to invest in this stone, either to ride it in a jewel or to sell it in the future.

Here are some features to keep in mind when buying them:

1. Form: Define what size or cuts you want to acquire is. I mean, you want a round emerald, square, emerald carving, trapiche, oval, heart, cabin, etc. This will be important to define the value of the gem.
2. Size: Like most gemstones, emeralds can be presented in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 carats to gemstones of 1 to 5 carat gemstones.
3. Check the color: emeralds come in a wide range of colors. Color is one of the most important factors in determining the value of an emerald. The difference in the color of the emeralds is due to the different amounts of chrome, vanadium and iron in the environment in which they formed, so you must establish if you want a crystalline emerald (clear, transparent foe) or an emerald of good color (green bluish or intense green).
4. Look for inclusions: The inclusions are all material (such as gas bubbles or tiny crystals) that has been trapped inside a gemstone during its formation. An emerald with excessive inclusions that diminish its transparency or clarity is worth less than an emerald with less inclusions.

Be cautious with the inclusions that reach the surface of the precious stone, as they can cause it to fracture in the future.

5. Treatments: Due to the fact that emeralds often have notorious inclusions, it is well known that some emeralds and jewelers choose to apply treatments with oil, acids or other substances to be applied to stones so that emeralds light up purer.

Therefore, you should bear in mind that when a stone is treated its value decreases. Likewise, the less treatment you will be the more appealous, therefore, the more expensive.

6. Certify your emeralds: In order to properly assess the value of an emerald you consider buying, you can request a report from a gemological laboratory. This will identify the type, size, cutting, clarity, color and origin of the emerald.

This assessment will give you a degree of confidence in the quality and value of the precious stone, even before you get the quote from a third party.

Cases in which to say NO to an emerald

• Measted size: It can happen that at the time of making the purchase and millimetrically reviewing the emerald, it has some faults typical of the carving process. Whether they are cracks not visible to the naked eye, deported or cracks, size errors can cause a No at the time of purchase.
• Too many inclusions: the inclusions are typical of each emerald, yet there are one that contains more than others. This characteristic of the stone is very subjective because just as there are people who find in these more quality or naturalness, there are those who seek perfect stones without much damage.
• Insufficient size: One of the primary aspects to rule out an emerald is that it does not have the necessary size and dimensions. Either because it takes specific measures to ride in jewelry or because the desired size is not the one you are.
• Overrated: the different qualities of an emerald make it valued with many aspects. From color, transparency, treatments and so on, they are factors that determine the cost of a gem. Therefore, when a price is offered for an emerald it may happen that the seller considers a cost that the customer does not find valid, this can cause a resounding rejection of the stone.
• Uncertified: as we mentioned in previous entries, the most important thing when buying emeralds is to certify that these stones are natural, that they have or do not have treatments and that they are of Colombian origin. In the event that a jewelry store or commissioner denies the certificate, it is a resounding NO to the emerald in question.

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.