There's no green quite like emerald. It's soft and deep at the same time, like sunlight through leaves. But emeralds are also unlike other gems in some important ways, and knowing them will help you choose one you'll love for a lifetime. Here's what our gemologist looks at.
1️⃣ Color Is Everything
With emerald, color matters more than any other quality. The most prized emeralds have a rich, vivid green, sometimes with a slight touch of blue, that is neither too pale nor too dark.
Pale green stones are lovely and more affordable, but may be called green beryl rather than emerald when very light.
Too dark and the stone can look blackish indoors.
Just right and it glows with a calm, saturated green.
2️⃣ The "Garden" Inside
Almost every natural emerald has inclusions you can see. Gemologists lovingly call them the jardin, French for "garden," because they can look like moss or leaves inside the stone. A completely clean emerald is extraordinarily rare.
So don't expect perfection. Instead, look for a stone where the inclusions don't distract from the color or weaken the stone, especially near the surface or the corners.
💡 A bit of jardin is often a sign of a natural emerald. Lab-grown emeralds can look almost too perfect.
3️⃣ Oil: A Treatment as Old as Cleopatra
Most emeralds are treated with oil or resin to fill tiny surface-reaching fissures, which makes them look clearer and brighter. This practice goes back thousands of years and is considered normal and accepted. Untreated emeralds exist, but they are rare and priced accordingly.
The important thing is that the treatment is disclosed, and that you care for the stone in a way that doesn't remove the oil (see care tips below).
4️⃣ The Emerald Cut Was Made for Emerald
The rectangular step cut with cut corners is called the emerald cut for a reason. It shows off the green beautifully and protects the stone's fragile corners. You'll also find emeralds in ovals, rounds, pears and smooth cabochons, especially in antique pieces.
5️⃣ Where It Comes From
Colombia: the most famous, prized for warm, pure green.
Zambia: often a slightly bluer green, with excellent clarity.
Brazil: lighter greens, and the home of the famous Bahia Emerald.
👉 Read the story of that giant stone and its stay in New Orleans: The Emerald That Rode Out Katrina.
6️⃣ Natural or Lab-Grown?
Lab-grown emeralds are real emerald, made in a lab, often with fewer inclusions and a much lower price. Natural emeralds carry the rarity and history. Both can be beautiful; just make sure you know which one you're buying. At David's, ask about any piece and we'll tell you exactly what it is.
🧼 Caring for Emerald
Emerald is fairly hard (7.5 to 8), but because of its inclusions it's more fragile than a sapphire or diamond. Treat it gently and it will last for generations.
✅ Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
❌ Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. They can remove the oil and damage the stone.
❌ Avoid hot water, harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes.
✅ Take emerald rings off for gardening, the gym and housework.
✅ Store separately, and have the setting checked now and then.
💚 Our Advice
Choose with your eyes and your heart. Look at the emerald in daylight and indoors, and choose the green that makes you smile. A vintage emerald with a little garden inside has more soul than a flawless stone with no story.
🛍️ Find Your Emerald
Visit us at 322 Royal Street to see our emeralds in real light, or browse online. Our 90-day layaway has no interest.
