The Stone of Royalty: Understanding Clarity and V

The Honest Truth: Embrace the "Jardín" (Garden)

Emeralds are rarely flawless. Their internal features, called the jardín (Spanish for "garden"), are unique to each stone and are evidence of its natural origin. If you see a large, eye-clean emerald, be skeptical. Expect some inclusions; your focus should be on how much they affect the stone's overall transparency and color.

Value Check: Understanding Oil Treatment

Almost all natural emeralds (over 99%) undergo an oil treatment after cutting. A colorless oil or resin is used to fill surface-reaching fractures, improving the stone's appearance.

Expert View:

This is an accepted industry standard, but the seller should always disclose it.
Heavily treated emeralds are much less valuable.

Cleaning Warning:

Because of this treatment, never put an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner, steam cleaner, or hot water, as it can strip the oil and expose the internal flaws.

Durability Guide: Hardness vs. Brittleness

While Emerald scores a decent 7.5–8.0 on the Mohs scale, it is considered brittle due to its numerous inclusions. This means a sharp knock can cause the stone to chip or crack along those internal planes.

Crucial Setting Advice:

Emeralds should almost always be set in bezel settings (where metal wraps around the stone) or four/six-prong settings with additional side protection.
The "Emerald Cut" (rectangular shape) is specifically designed to minimize sharp corners that are prone to chipping.

Our Recommendation: The Protected Statement Ring

Choose a mid-sized, richly colored emerald ring with a highly protective setting.
This is a true investment piece that requires respectful daily wear and careful cleaning.