Pricing Factors
The emerald is the most precious member of the beryl family and acquires its intense green color from its content of the elements chrome and vanadium. Amongst emeralds around the world, the Colombian emerald is considered to have the finest and therefore most valuable green, where high quality emeralds can even exceed diamonds in value per carat.
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The most prized emeralds are highly transparent with even color distribution and no eye-visible color zoning.
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Unlike diamonds, the emerald doesn't have a perfect classification system since each emerald is unique and very difficult to classify. Normally, the factors that must be considered when buying an emerald, in addition to the origin, are the following:
COLOR:
The color is one of the most important factors of emeralds. They come in a wide range of greens and the best quality is a combination of hue, tone and saturation.
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For most gemologists, the most desirable emerald colors are bluish green to pure green, with vivid color saturation and tone.
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CLARITY:
The clarity of emeralds differs from other gems like rubies, diamonds or sapphires.
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Due to the extreme rarity of the transparent emerald, inclusions are not only tolerated, but admired as gardens, reflecting a unique personality in each emerald. Inclusions are particles of solids, liquids or gases that lodge inside the emeralds during their formation process and provide a unique footprint to the gemstone.
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However, if an emerald has no inclusions visible to the naked eye, it is considered perfect. Transparent stones with the naked eye carry the highest prices, especially those with an ideal color classification.
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Another important aspect to consider is the amount of life and charm of the gem, given by the quality of the crystal.​
​CLARITY ENHANCEMENT
The fissures and fractures characteristic of the emeralds, which have formed naturally due to the pressures exerted by tectonic events of the rock at the time of its formation, are traditionally enhanced with cedar oil (or similar) to minimize its visual impact. This treatment is harmless as it can be reversed.
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However, the less enhancement the emerald has, the more expensive it is. The amount of enhancement is specified in the emerald reports.
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WEIGHT:
Proportional to their weight (carats).
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CUT:
How good are the proportions, symmetry and polish. A good cut will maximize the length of the light path within the stone and thereby enhance color and liveliness
