Appraising the value of antique emeralds is done much in the same way as modern emeralds. At C. Blackburn Jewelers we will analyze the quality and rarity of the gemstone’s 4 Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight. In addition, we’ll assess any extra value that may be attributed to the emerald mine in which the stone was sourced (if identified in a lab report).
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Here is a quick overview of an emerald’s 4 Cs:
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Emerald Color: The most important factor in determining an emerald’s value is its color. The most valuable emeralds have a deep, rich green color with a hint of blue.
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Emerald Clarity: Emeralds typically have a lot of inclusions (internal imperfections) due to the way they are formed. However, the fewer inclusions an emerald has, the more valuable it is. A clear emerald with no visible inclusions is extremely rare and valuable.
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Emerald Cut: The cut of an emerald can greatly affect its value. A well-cut emerald will have good symmetry, proportions, and facets that reflect light well. A poorly cut emerald will look dull and lifeless.
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Emerald Carat Weight: The weight of an emerald is measured in carats, and larger stones are generally more valuable than smaller ones.
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Other factors that can affect the value of your emerald include: color saturation (windows/zoning), treatments (such as heat, oil, or clarity enhancement), damage to stone (chips, cracks, abrasions), origin of mine (for example, Colombia), lab report (GIA or IGI), and branding (such as Tiffany emerald earrings).
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Get started now. Find out how much your emerald or fine jewelry set with emeralds is worth. Call 858-251-3006 to schedule an appointment or click on the button below to tell us about your item.
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