Emerald is a precious gemstone known for its captivating hue. This radiant gemstone signifies love, compassion, vitality, and new beginnings. Formerly known as Panna in Hindi, this fantastic gemstone comes from the beryl mineral family. Emerald stone is a valuable stone for gem connoisseur. It is widely used in jewelry and also holds astrological significance.
Along with the vibrant hue, these gemstones feature unique inclusions as well. These inclusions are natural to these green gemstones. They are called ‘Jardin,’ which means ‘garden.’ However, inclusions are natural to many other gems, and for the same, they are being treated. This blog highlights the reason why and how emeralds are being treated.
What is treatment, and why is it done?
Gemstone treatment and enhancement is a common term in gemology. It relates to improving the gemstone’s appearance in color, clarity, and durability. There are many treatment processes that gemstones go through, for instance, coating, dyeing, fracture filling, flux healing, clarity enhancement, diffusion, irradiation, and oiling.
Why are emerald gemstones treated?
These beautiful green emerald stone get their color from trace elements like chromium, vanadium, and iron. The color ranges from vivid green hue to bluish green hue. Though these elements give a solid color to the stone, sometimes inclusions make them look dull.Â
Inclusions are natural in a gemstone, and it might not be misled with low quality. The quality of the stone rather depends upon the number of inclusions. They might be larger or smaller in number.
Another aspect that highlights the need for emerald enhancement is their mining process. The internal fissures that cannot be seen with the naked eye need to be filled to maintain the durability of the stone. For this, the fissures or fractures are treated with oiling or using resins (natural or synthetic).
What is the process of emerald treatment?
Oiling emeralds is the perfect and temporary solution. Although heat treatment is the most common process, since it can break these green emerald stone as they are brittle, oiling is the best enhancement process.
Oiling utilizes the unique property of penetrating the most minor cracks, making them less visible. The treatment levels involve the following categories:
- No oil/insignificant
- Minor Treatment
- Moderate treatment
- Significant Treatment
Each of these levels plays a valuable approach in determining the degree to which treatment is done.
- No-oil emeralds: These gemstones feature no enhancement process. They are natural and untreated. Whether you are a beginner or a professional gem collector, it is essential to buy panna stone cautiously. While purchasing no oil treatment gems, one should always ask for a certificate from a reputed laboratory.
- Minor Treatment: The gemstones with little oil filling come under this category. Applying this type of treatment keeps the clarity of the stone the same. It is thus filling oil or resin inside the gem, covering up the fractures or fissures.
- Moderate Treatment: This treatment requires a reasonable amount of oil to be filled in the gemstones. If you look forward to buying panna stones at affordable prices, then gemstones with this type of treatment are suggested.
- Significant Treatment: Treating these green gemstones with essential oil enhances the color and clarity of the stone.
Does oiling impact emerald stone price?
Original panna stone with fewer inclusions is challenging to find. The cost of these gemstones ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 70,000 and can extend even more based on their quality. There are treated emeralds available in the market, but their prices cannot be compared with the natural ones. These beryl mineral varieties are priced lower than untreated gems.
Nothing can compare to the value of the original panna ratna, but treated emerald stone can be used for those looking for affordable alternatives. These stones can add the same essence as the emeralds at a price you can afford. One can choose either of the options ranging from minor to significant oiling. A budget-friendly treated gemstone as a center or accent stone finds the same meaning and expression as green emeralds.
In conclusion, understanding the degree of emerald oil treatments is pivotal for both consumers and gem enthusiasts. Recognizing the diverse methods employed to enhance emerald clarity or color helps make informed purchase decisions. While traditional oiling remains a widely accepted practice, advancements in treatments demand a discerning eye.
Consumers should prioritize transparency and seek reputable sources to ensure the gem’s authenticity. As emeralds continue to captivate with their lush green allure, an informed approach to treatments not only preserves the gem’s natural charm but also empowers individuals to appreciate and v