All About Emeralds

The number one question we get asked a lot - Are inclusions bad in emeralds? Let’s demystify that myth

Don’t dismiss inclusions (and small fixes)

While emeralds without eye-visible inclusions do exist, these stones are extremely rare. Some inclusions are referred to as jardin (meaning garden in both French and Spanish), and may consist of networks of tiny liquid-filled inclusions and tiny fissures that permeate the gem evoking the appearance of a lush garden.

Generally, we want gemstones to be clean, but emeralds are among the few gemstones where inclusions are accepted. Still, cleaner is better, and this is why most emeralds are treated. Some are infused with oils, and others are filled with polymer resins. The fillers are selected for a refractive index, which is very close to emerald, and they are ideal for disguising cracks and fractures. Cedarwood oil is the preferred option for Colombian stones, while Brazilian stones are usually treated with resin. The resin treatment is considered to be permanent, but many sellers prefer oiling. The treatments improve clarity and stability, and there is nothing wrong with these processes as long as the buyers are fully informed. Emeralds should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath as the oil may be removed. Re-oiling is not complicated, but it’s better just to avoid the bath in the first place.

The oiling or infilling of cavities and fractures in emeralds is standard practice and improves their appearance. Stones may pass immediately from the mine into a bucket of oil, and even if sellers wish to remove this oil, traces may remain.

The colour of emeralds might give us a clue to their origin, but as there may be a great deal of variation within a single source, gemological tests and inclusion studies are the only way to identify origin conclusively. Still, the top colour should be obvious from its purity and intensity, regardless of the source location.