Buying loose emeralds is one of the best ways of buying emeralds. To do so you need to know all about emeralds or at least enough to know what you are buying and for how much.

The first thing is to find out all about emeralds. Where they come from, what different types there are, the various colors, qualities, characteristics and weights. Much of this can be found on this site on the links provided but it is a good idea to browse around and see what other sites have that can give you information about emeralds.

Emeralds are a hard gemstone just below that of sapphires, rubies and of course diamonds. They are a member of the beryllium family of minerals and by itself has no color! It is the addition of traces of chromium and vanadium that give the green color so prized in emeralds.

In fact emeralds are more precious than diamonds as are actually more rare.

All emeralds have inclusions or bubble and cracks. These are a way of telling if a emerald is genuine so if you find an emerald with no inclusions one would regard it with suspicion.

When buying emeralds also get a certificate with the emerald that shows the quality and characteristics of the emerald. The color, clarity and weight should be given.

With loose stones you can turn the stone around and look at it from all angles. Try to look at several stones and get an idea of what they are like and how they feel also. View them in natural light, not artificial. The color can change dramatically in artificial light.

An emerald should be at least one carat to show of the splendor of the green, which should be have a deep intense brilliance.

Doing some due diligence and a bit of common sense and patience should reward you with some wonderful loose emeralds you can use in virtually any form of jewelery.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2006 at 7:04 pm and is filed under Buying Emeralds.