How to Choose Emeralds

Emerald stones are given as gifts for many reasons. They are the birthstone of May, they are a celebration stone for 20th, 35th or 55th wedding anniversaries and they represent the astrological sign, Taurus. The highest quality emeralds are from Columbia, but the stones are mined in places such as Russia, Pakistan and India. Choosing a stone is a matter of knowing a bit about how to recognize a quality stone as well as the emerald market.

Instructions

1

Look at the color. A high-quality emerald will be a bright, vivid green not unlike freshly cut grass.

2

Look at the clarity. Inclusions are foreign bodies within the stone that are visible and can make the stone look cloudy. The clarity of the stone will determine its price. The best emeralds have few to no inclusions. If you are willing to accept a lesser quality stone, you will save money.

3

Decide on a cut. Most emeralds are in an "emerald" cut. This is a step-cut rectangle. This tends to be the cut that brings out the emerald's beauty the most, which is why it's used most often. However, different emeralds are cut into different shapes such as princess, pear or round brilliant. Hold the stone up to the light to make sure that it reflects light equally off of each surface.

4

Price the emerald market. This can be done by comparing prices at different stores of emeralds that have comparable quality and cut.

5

Check the certification. The most reliable labs to certify the quality and authenticity of a stone are GIA, AGL, AGTA, GRS or Gubelin. Ask your jeweler to see certification of the emerald, be weary if the certificate does not come from one of the mentioned labs.