Quality

Understanding natural properties and market dynamics around the gemstone can help the buyer to select a piece that can fulfill his astrological and financial conditions. Before you buy Emerald online or from trusted dealers, the following parameters can be looked upon to choose the best quality Emerald gemstone.

•         Origin

Panna mines have been discovered in Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, United States and Australia. Being highly saturated and perfectly balanced in green and blue tints, Colombian Emeralds are considered to be superior to other origins, followed by Zambian Emeralds. Brazilian Emeralds are dark and thus less desirable.

•         Colour

Colour of Emerald weighs pretty much above every other quality factor. Value of Emerald increases further if it is richly saturated and consistently coloured. Natural Emeralds from Colombia are considered to be of the finest colour quality.

•         Clarity

Emeralds are known for containing three phase inclusions – solid crystals, liquid films and gaseous bubbles, found less or more in almost all origins. Inclusions in Emeralds from Chivor mine in Colombia often exist as pyrite, albite and needle like growth tubes. Zambian Emeralds contain black dot like specks and are usually colour-zoned. An Eye Clean Emerald with bright-green colour is highly rare and thus is exceptionally expensive.

•         Uniqueness (Trapiche Emerald)

A rather rare and unique variety known as Trapiche Emerald is found in Colombia and Brazil. Trapiche or Star Emeralds are unique in their display of impurities appearing in a six-pointed, star like radial fashion. In addition, ‘Chatoyancy or Cat’s Eye’ effect displayed by this gemstone, positions it as one of the rarest and majestic gemstones. Like other varieties, Traphice Emeralds can also be synthesized in labs as well as treated with oil and epoxy resins.

Emerald Prices

Even being a fairly expensive gemstone, Emerald remains high in demand in national and international markets. Panna prices begin from ₹800 and may go as high as ₹2 lakh per carat, depending on the origin, clarity, colour and size of the gemstone.

•         Origin

Owing to superior colour quality, Colombian Emerald price range in India stretches much beyond than other origins, costing the buyer anywhere between ₹3,200 to ₹2 Lakh per carat. Zambian Emeralds are quite popular as well and can draw between ₹2,700 and ₹1.5 Lakh per carat. Brazilian Emeralds are relatively more affordable.

•         Colour

In Emeralds, the rule goes as brighter and greener is the colour, higher is its price in the market. However, too much iron (found in some varieties) can cause a bluish tint and decrease the value of Emerald gemstone in the market. Since, the majority of Emeralds from Colombia are vividly saturated and display a fine balance between green and blue, Colombian Emerald price per carat remains higher than other origins.

•         Clarity

Emeralds are graded as ‘Type III’ on clarity indicators, implying almost every piece will have some degree of inclusions. Thus, panna cost increases drastically for stones without visible inclusions. Zambian Emerald price per carat fares higher than other origins on account of relatively better clarity.

•         Cut

Cutting a gemstone can increase its cost by up to 20% because of the stone wastage incurred in the process. A heavily faceted Emerald will cost more than a round or oval Emerald.

•         Carat Weight

Least and yet reflective, carat weight can influence panna or pachu stone price especially when size and clarity co-exist on the same scale. Since, Emeralds are fairly included, finding an Emerald above a few carats with Eye-clean clarity is highly rare. Likewise, its price will reflect its rarity. On the other hand, a high carat Emerald with dull green colour will be cheaper than a smaller one displaying a bright, greenish-blue tone.

•         Treatment

Certain treatments like oiling are acceptable in Emeralds. An Emerald treated with hard epoxy-like resins is less valuable than the ones treated with safer colourless oiling