Emeralds are one of the harder variations of gemstones, but they can still be chipped or cracked if proper care is not taken. They rate between 7.5 - 8.0 out of 10 on the Moh's Scale of Mineral Hardness.
Contrary to what many may have heard, emeralds are quite resistant to scratches and chipping, rating a 7.5-8/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. But that doesn't mean they are impervious to damage. Inclusions (common natural imperfections in the stone) can make them prone to cracking.
Natural emerald crystals are relatively hard gemstones, with a rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. They are less prone to scratches and wear than other gemstones like amethyst or calcite. However, authentic emerald stones can still develop surface scratches and chips due to their mineral inclusions.
Because emeralds are such a natural stone, they tend to include some inclusions. As a result, they are very brittle and can easily break if they experience a strong blow.
Ways to Tell If an Emerald is Real. One way to tell if an emerald is real is to check the inclusions, which naturally form within the stone. They can be seen with the naked eye or with a 10x microscope. These include fissures, cavities, chips, growth tubes, spiral (twisting) inclusions, fingerprints, and color zoning.
A high-quality emerald has a vivid green colour with a medium to medium-dark tone. It will also have a limited number of inclusions that are well masked by its colour and cut. A high-quality emerald will also have a good cut that maximizes the gem's beauty and increases its overall strength.
The most-prized emeralds are highly transparent. Their color is evenly distributed, with no eye-visible color zoning. If the hue is too yellowish or too bluish, the stone is not emerald, but a different variety of beryl, and its value drops accordingly.
Fractures. These fissures and cracks are by far the most common inclusion in emeralds. No one is entirely sure why they are so common in emeralds. One idea is that they are a natural byproduct of the crystal formation process, while another is that they are caused by harsh mining techniques.
Emerald rates a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. Heat can damage emeralds, especially by extending existing fractures. Light and chemicals can cause the oils, resins, and polymers used to fill surface-reaching fractures to alter in appearance or deteriorate.
Yes, emeralds can be worn every day albeit with utmost care. This is because, even though emeralds are fairly durable, they are not immune to damage. If they are handled roughly or receive a sharp blow, they can chip and even break. It is also important to keep in mind that emeralds typically feature inclusions.
But if you plan to wear it on an everyday basis, in the form of a ring, studs or something else, then make it a point to keep the jewelry aside before taking a hot or cold shower. Keep in mind that extreme temperatures can result in internal cracks.
Rough, uncut emeralds are worth less than their faceted counterparts, for a few reasons: Emerald rough from Muzo Mine, Colombia. Labor! A bad gem cutter can turn an expensive emerald rough into a cheap emerald.
Yes, emerald is safe to go in the water. It has a value of 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which is well above the minimum value required for minerals to go underwater. However, like all gemstones, emeralds should not be immersed in water for long because it can dull the crystal's appearance and damage its structure.
Too many inclusions can cause an emerald to lighten in color, making it appear opaque or cloudy.
Rubies may symbolise passionate love, but it is emeralds that represent a deep, faithful love for a partner. This is one of the main reasons why emeralds make such good engagement rings, but also why they are suitable for other pieces such as a promise or eternity ring.
Washing your hands while wearing your emerald ring shouldn't be a problem; however, if you're not sure, it's best to remove it.
Oiling gemstones to fill internal fractures is a common practice. Many different oils are used for emerald fractures. For example, using colorless cedarwood oil is a supposedly acceptable practice. Colored oils are also used.
Negative impact on personal life: Wearing an emerald without proper consultation can affect your relationship with parents, in-laws, and children. Negative impact on physical health: Besides impacting mental health negatively, emerald can also create skin problems and throat ailments if worn without consultation.
The best way to clean emerald jewelry is with warm soapy water or a warm soapy cloth. Do not soak emeralds in soapy water and avoid harsh detergents that might dilute or remove oils from the stone. Never soak emeralds in solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or paint thinner.
Emeralds are the softest gems known to man
While inclusions can add to an emerald's overall aesthetic, they do make them more susceptible to cracking if knocked against a hard surface or subjected to extreme temperature change. Most emeralds are, therefore, treated by filling cracks with oil to prevent chipping.
There are plenty of emerald rings in the world that survive generations so wear happily, but with care. Most emeralds are treated with colourless oil or polymer resin. This improves the appearance of fractures. As natural oils tend to dry out over time, some maintenance is needed to re-oil a stone.
Most emeralds will come with flaws. Flawless emeralds are considered extremely rare and highly valuable. Because of this 'always flawed' characteristic, gem collectors will often buy slightly flawed emeralds rather than flawless emeralds – that way, they know they are receiving real gems.
Overall, emeralds are a very good gemstone to wear day-to-day without durability issues. The only problem is it will need to be cleaned. Since most emeralds are treated with oil-filler for clarity, they can never go into a jewelry cleaning machine of any type.
TONE AND SATURATION
Fine emeralds tend to fall between 2 and 8. Note that darker does not mean better. Rich color is the darkest one should look for in emeralds. The finest gemstones are based on taste and generally range from medium, medium rich, to rich color.
There are some rare finds among the so-called semi-precious gems that can be priced higher than the big three, but in general, a fine ruby, sapphire or emerald will hold its value and command more respect and a higher price than other gemstone.