The Proper Way of Oiling an Emerald Gemstone
Most gemstones, including emeralds, are treated in some way between their discovery in a mine and their purchase by a consumer. Emeralds are treated with oil in order to improve clarity by filling any natural fissures that are present in the stone. Treating an emerald with oil does not change the stone chemically or add any weight to the stone.
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Cedar Oil
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Cedar oil is the oil of choice for treating emeralds due to its super sticky nature. Cedar oil comes from cedar trees and is a colorless substance that resembles tree sap in its consistency. The smell may remind you of a cedar closet or a juniper tree. Because of its sticky nature, it is not easily spread onto the emerald, nor can it very easily be washed off of hands or equipment. Be sure to have some good scrub brushes nearby if you are going to be working with cedar oil.
Washing The Emerald
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Before the emerald can be oiled properly, it must be cleaned well. It is best to leave the gem cleaning to a lab, since the best way to clean an emerald is with an acid bath. An acid bath with remove an impurities and residue that might be present on the stone. If the emerald is not cleaned properly, these impurities will be forced further into the stone during the oiling process. The acid bath, when done properly, will not damage the emerald in any way.
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The Oiling Process
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Because of the sticky nature of the oil, an emerald cannot simply be dipped in the oil and laid to dry overnight. Instead, the pure cedar oil and stones are placed in a heated, hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder contains a special temperature control since overheating the oil and gemstones will cause discoloration and break down the stone. Once the cylinder is heated to the correct temperature, it is pressurized and the oil is forced by the pressure to penetrate the gemstone. The cylinder will remain pressurized for several hours and will then be left to cool for several hours. At this time, the emerald is removed and cleaned.
Other Considerations
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Cedar oil is one of the purest and most colorless oils available. Cedar oil is also used to clean microscope lenses. The effects of the oil on the emeralds will vary, as some emeralds may not take on very much, if any, oil. These emeralds are extremely dense and have excellent clarity naturally. These naturally dense stones are usually sold at a premium price due to the rarity of the clarity and color.
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References
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