How to Choose High-Quality Emeralds

The stunning green emerald, the birthstone for May, is said to have been prized by Cleopatra above all her other jewels. A symbol of love, rebirth and youth, the emerald is one of the most sought-after precious gems.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry Boxes
• Emerald Jewelry

1. Go to a high-quality jewelry store. Look for a store with a good selection of emeralds and a staff that seems knowledgeable.

2. Ask if the stone has been treated in any way. Some common treatments to enhance gems include irradiation, heat treatment, dyeing and coating. Not all of these treatments will devalue the stone, but always ask so you know what you're getting.

3. Study the color of the emerald. It should be a deep, vivid green. Although perfect clarity makes an emerald exceptionally valuable, some inclusions in the stone may be acceptable.

4. Check - or have a trusted jeweler check - any inclusions carefully to be sure they are not so deep as to weaken the stone.

5. Look at the cut of the emerald. The rectangular step-cut - or "emerald cut" - is most popular, but emeralds come in a variety of cuts and settings. In a well-cut stone, light will be reflected evenly across the surface when you hold it face up. Look at the stone from several different angles to be sure.

6. Compare a variety of emeralds. Hold them side by side, look at color and cut, and choose the emerald you like best.

7. Remember that it's better to buy a smaller emerald of high quality than a larger stone of questionable quality.

Tips & Warnings

• Although some jewelers may tell you otherwise, the country of the emerald's origin has nothing to do with its value. Each emerald needs to be judged on its own merits.
• Although darker emeralds are not as bright, you may prefer them because of their deep color.
• The inclusions in an emerald are called "jardin" (French for "garden") because the inclusions resemble greenery growing within the stone.
• If you're shopping online, investigate the site's return policy, and make sure you buy from a reputable online jeweler.
• If you find emeralds offered at an unbelievably inexpensive price, they are probably not real stones.