Emerald gemstone are the rarest and most valuable stones. Their deep green color symbolizes royalty & romance. Learn more about this elegant gem at Beladamaz
Emeralds are among the rarest and most valuable gemstones, second only to diamonds. Their deep green color symbolizes royalty and romance, and each emerald’s natural inclusions make it unique. As May’s birthstone and the traditional gift for a 55th anniversary, emeralds hold deep sentimental value.
Scientifically known as natural beryl, emeralds owe their rich green hue to trace elements of chromium and vanadium. Unlike many other precious stones, emeralds are softer, ranking 7.5 on the Mohs scale (diamonds rank 10). Moreover, Their delicate nature requires expert craftsmanship when setting them in jewelry, as they can chip or break under high pressure or heat.
Emeralds vary in color intensity and purity, with inclusions naturally forming during their growth. More than clarity, color determines an emerald’s value—the deeper and more vivid the green, the more prized the gemstone.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Emerald Shapes
Emeralds come in a variety of popular shapes, with round and octagon “emerald” cuts leading the way. Round emeralds enhance the stone’s refractive quality, adding extra sparkle. However, for emeralds, color is the top priority.
Cushion-cut emeralds are also highly sought after, typically available in sizes 6mm and larger (~1.00ct+). Moreover, Other options include oval, princess, pear, and marquise cuts. Fancy shapes like oval and pear are widely available in various sizes, while princess (square) emeralds are usually found in sizes under 5mm due to rough wastage and supply constraints.
Emeralds have become a stunning alternative to diamonds for engagement rings. Depending on size and quality, they can be just as expensive as diamonds, making them a unique and luxurious choice.
Emerald Size
Emeralds are measured in millimeters (length × width) rather than by carat weight. Carat is only an approximation of size since the depth of the cut can vary to enhance the gemstone’s color. A deeper or shallower cut can significantly impact carat weight, even if the length and width remain the same.
As emerald size increases, the price rises exponentially. Furthermore, Round and octagon-shaped emeralds appear the largest, while cushion and princess cuts tend to look smaller due to how they distribute weight. Squarer shapes hold more weight in their depth rather than surface area. Unlike diamonds, where size may be reduced to remove inclusions, emeralds naturally contain inclusions throughout and are rarely cut down for clarity.
Emerald Color
Color is the most important factor in determining an emerald’s value. Each emerald is graded based on its hue, tone, and saturation, which define its overall appearance. While no universal standard exists, emeralds are typically classified from AAA (highest quality) to C (lowest quality).
Emeralds are naturally green, but they may have subtle undertones of yellow, blue, or brown. The purest green stones are the most valuable. To evaluate color, gemologists examine the emerald face-up, tilting it to view its hue from multiple angles. The ideal emerald has a rich, vivid green color with even saturation and minimal undertones.
For the best visual appeal, we recommend emeralds with deep green hues or slight yellow undertones. Stones with strong brown or blue undertones may appear less vibrant.
Emerald Clarity
Emeralds are naturally heavily included gemstones, meaning almost all will have visible internal characteristics known as inclusions. These may appear as clouds, needles, crystals, feathers, pinpoints, or cavities, forming naturally as the gem develops. Unlike diamonds, emeralds do not have a standardized clarity grading scale—instead, their clarity is considered within the AAA to C quality rating system, where color remains the primary factor.
Since inclusions are inevitable in emeralds, minor imperfections shouldn’t be a major concern in high-quality stones. However, excessive inclusions in larger emeralds can reduce color intensity, making the stone appear dull or washed out.
To assess clarity, emeralds are examined face-up without magnification, focusing on the overall appearance rather than individual inclusions. The most common inclusions resemble wavy or random whitish lines, known as fissures, which naturally form during the emerald's growth.
Ethical Sourcing & Sustainable Mining
Emerald mining is a delicate process since emeralds form within rock formations rather than as standalone crystals. Unlike other gemstones, emeralds are often hand-mined to prevent excessive pressure that could fracture these naturally included stones. Most emeralds are extracted from pits, where rock is carefully blasted into manageable pieces before being sorted for quality gemstones.
Our emeralds are sourced from Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil—regions known for producing vivid green emeralds with fewer inclusions. In some cases, the color of an emerald can even reveal its place of origin.
We take pride in responsible sourcing by working directly with miners and manufacturers who uphold safe environmental practices, fair labor laws, and community development initiatives. Moreover, The emerald mining industry plays a crucial role in supporting local economies, funding schools, hospitals, and public infrastructure. We maintain strict ethical standards by partnering with reliable suppliers and personally visiting mines to ensure direct, transparent sourcing of these exquisite gemstones.
Certified Quality & Natural Beauty
Ensuring the authenticity and quality of an emerald is crucial when making an investment in fine jewelry. Emerald certification confirms whether a stone is natural or synthetic and can provide insight into its origin and characteristics. However, for emeralds under 6.5mm, certification is often unnecessary when purchasing from a trusted jeweler.
While there is no universal grading scale for emeralds, reputable gemological labs such as GIA, AGS, and AGL offer certification for added assurance. At With Clarity, our gemologists are GIA-trained and independently verify each emerald’s authenticity. We hand-select only the top 1% of emeralds, ensuring that our gemstones display a rich green hue and minimal inclusions.
For those looking for authentication without the high cost of certification (which can run hundreds per carat), a certified appraisal is a practical alternative. Moreover, Advanced gemological tools allow experts to determine an emerald’s natural composition without costly lab certification.
We always recommend natural emeralds over synthetics. Lab-created emeralds lack the natural inclusions that give each stone its unique character and timeless appeal. The beauty of a natural emerald lies in its imperfections—each inclusion is part of the gemstone’s history, making it a perfect symbol of love, commitment, and authenticity.
Enhancing Natural Beauty: Emerald Treatments
Like many precious gemstones, emeralds undergo treatments to enhance their color, clarity, and durability. Since emeralds naturally have more inclusions than other gemstones, these treatments help improve their purity and brilliance while protecting their delicate structure.
Over 99% of emeralds are treated, with completely untreated emeralds being extremely rare and up to 20 times more expensive. The most common treatments include oiling, dyeing, irradiating, and lasering, though not all are considered industry-standard or permanent.
At With Clarity, we use only natural oil treatments—never temporary or artificial enhancements like dyeing or color manipulation. Moreover, Our emeralds are soaked in hot cedar oil, which fills tiny fissures and fractures, improving clarity while preserving the emerald’s natural beauty and structural integrity. Cedar oil matches the emerald’s refractive index, ensuring a seamless enhancement that boosts brilliance and enhances the deep green hue.
We believe in full transparency when it comes to gemstone treatments. Each With Clarity emerald is carefully tested to confirm its authenticity and treatments, ensuring you receive an exquisite, high-quality gemstone without any compromise in value.
The Ultimate Emerald Buying Guide
Finding the perfect emerald isn’t as simple as reading a certificate—its beauty is something your eyes naturally recognize. Each emerald has a unique character, and while two stones may be graded similarly, their color and clarity can differ significantly. Here’s how to make an informed choice:
1. Set a Budget for Your Emerald
Emeralds are the most valuable colored gemstones, often surpassing rubies and sapphires in price. Additionally, Their rarity drives up cost, so setting a budget ensures you find the best balance of size and quality without overspending. Consulting a trusted jeweler can help maximize your investment.
2. Choose the Right Shape
Emeralds come in many shapes, but round and octagon (emerald cut) are the most sought-after.
- Round emeralds maximize brilliance, giving more sparkle.
- Emerald and oval cuts enhance deep, pure color.
- Fancy shapes like pear and princess can be budget-friendly while showcasing the stone's natural beauty.
3. Focus on Color & Quality
All emeralds have natural inclusions, so clarity is less important than color purity. The most valuable emeralds display a rich, vivid green with minimal undertones. Furthermore, Color intensity also helps mask inclusions, making the stone appear even more flawless. If you're unsure, rely on a trusted jeweler to select for you.
At With Clarity, we offer only AAA-quality emeralds—ensuring you receive a stunning gemstone with superior color and brilliance.
4. Select the Right Size
With emeralds, quality is just as important as size. Once you've chosen your preferred color and shape, adjust the size to fit your budget. Go as large as possible—because emeralds are rare, larger stones hold exceptional value and remain timeless investments.
5. Natural vs. Synthetic Emeralds
Natural emeralds hold historical significance and emotional value. Moreover, Their unique inclusions make each stone one of a kind, while synthetic emeralds often appear too perfect or unnaturally colored. Since natural emeralds appreciate in value, they are the preferred choice for both personal and financial investment.
A genuine emerald is more than just a gemstone—it’s a symbol of elegance, rarity, and timeless beauty. Choose wisely, and enjoy the brilliance of this extraordinary gem for a lifetime.