A variety of the mineral beryl, emeralds or panna stones, are celebrated for their vivid green colour, ranging from lush, grassy tones to deeper, more intense shades. The beauty of the panna stones lies in their rich, natural green colour, which is often associated with growth, renewal, and prosperity. This allure has made them a popular choice for gemstone jewelry, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. The demand for emerald stones in the jewelry industry is undeniable, as their elegance and symbolism continue to captivate the hearts of consumers worldwide.
Emeralds are commonly found in various regions, with each location contributing its unique shade and character to these magnificent gemstones. Colombian emeralds are renowned for their lush, grassy green tones, often with a slightly bluish tint, giving them a vibrant and lively appearance. Zambian emeralds are known for their deep green colours, often with a vivid and bold hue that sets them apart. Brazilian emeralds typically exhibit a yellowish-green or slightly brownish-green hue, which gives them a warm and distinctive character.
Rough emerald crystals
While natural emerald stones are undeniably rare, the vast majority of panna stones available in the market have undergone some form of treatment, primarily oiling, to enhance their appearance. The primary reasons for treating emeralds are the presence of inclusions and fractures, which are often not visible to the naked eye. These imperfections can affect the gem's transparency and brilliance. Treatment methods aim to mitigate these issues, making emerald stones more visually appealing. In this article, we will embark on a journey to discover the common practices of treating emeralds to enhance their appearance, and the critical distinction between natural and treated emeralds.
Why are Emeralds Treated?
Emeralds, or panna stones, often display inclusions and fractures in their natural state, giving rise to imperfections such as "jardin," resembling a garden of inclusions within the gem. These inclusions and fractures obstruct the passage of light through the panna stone, diminishing its transparency and brilliance.
Most emeralds have surface-reaching fractures, which is why they are frequently oil-treated. When oil seeps into these fractures, it fills them and enhances their transparency and overall appearance. It's important to note that the majority of emeralds in the market have undergone some form of treatment or enhancement, with oil treatment being the most widely accepted emerald treatment in the industry. Finding an untreated or unoiled emerald is exceptionally rare and often costs a fortune.
Furthermore, emeralds are among the most naturally included (containing inclusions) gemstones and are somewhat brittle stones that can easily get chipped and scraped during storage. Although they rate at about 7.5 – 8.0 (on 10) on the Mohs scale, their inclusions and cracks often make them susceptible to breakage. This is another reason why some emerald treatments, while enhancing the visual appeal of the gem, may also sometimes serve to improve the gem’s durability, making it more suitable for daily wear.
Emeralds are generally a highly-included category of gemstones
Common Emerald Treatments
Although different from sapphires, emeralds are treated in various forms - each treatment with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While oil filling is the most common, we uncover other common emerald treatments below.
1. Oil Treatment
Oiling is perhaps the most popular and widely accepted treatment for enhancing emerald clarity. This process involves immersing the panna stone in a specialised oil to fill in the tiny fissures and fractures within the gem. The chosen oil often has a refractive index close to that of the emerald stone, making the fractures less visible and enhancing the stone's transparency. Various types of oils, such as cedarwood oil, colourless oil, and synthetic oils, can be used for this purpose. Each type of oil can affect the stone slightly differently. For example, cedar oil or cedarwood oil is known for its ability to enhance the colour of the emerald and improve clarity, while colourless oils are often used to preserve the natural colour of the stone without affecting its appearance. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, may offer long-term stability but could be less effective in enhancing the emerald's clarity. While oil treatments significantly improve the visual appeal of emeralds and are safe treatments, concerns sometimes may arise due to the potential evaporation of the oil over time, necessitating periodic re-oiling.
Oiling is the most common emerald treatment - over 90% of all emeralds are oiled (Source: GGTL Labs)
2. Resin Filling
Resin filling, a more modern treatment method, involves injecting a colourless polymer resin into the fractures of the panna stone. This resin-filling process significantly enhances the gem's clarity, rendering the fractures virtually invisible to the naked eye. While resin-filled emerald stones offer superior clarity, they are not without their disadvantages. Over time, the polymer resin may degrade, potentially impacting the stone's appearance. Depending on the type and quality of the resin used, sometimes it also may be the case where the resin turns yellow over time, thereby harmfully impacting the natural colour of the emerald. Consumers must be aware of this treatment and exercise appropriate care and maintenance.
It's worth mentioning that, within the realm of emerald treatments, oil filling is generally considered a preferable method to resin filling. While both techniques aim to enhance clarity, oil treatments are often favoured due to their ability to improve the gem's appearance without the risk of degradation associated with resin filling.
3. Clarity Enhancement
Beyond oil and resin, other clarity enhancement techniques are employed in the emerald stone industry. One such method is laser drilling, where tiny channels are drilled in the emerald to reach inclusions, which are then bleached or filled with a substance like lead glass or plastic to improve their appearance. Fracture filling involves introducing substances into larger fractures to enhance clarity. While these treatments can make an emerald more visually appealing, they may affect the gem's intrinsic value, durability, and structural integrity.
4. Dyeing & Irradiation
Dyeing and irradiation are techniques employed to primarily enhance the green color of emeralds. Dyeing involves applying colouring agents to the gem's surface, while irradiation employs controlled radiation exposure to alter the stone's colour. Dyeing often introduces foreign substances to achieve the desired colour, which may not be as stable as the emerald's natural hue. The added colour can fade or change over time, influenced by factors like light, heat, or chemicals, affecting the stone's appearance. Irradiation can lead to colour changes that are typically considered permanent. However, the stability of these enhancements can vary based on the treatment and the individual stone. Some irradiated emeralds maintain stable colour changes, while others may experience fading or instability over time. Although these treatments can provide temporary improvements in colour, their lasting effects can differ, underlining the importance of consumer awareness regarding the treatments used and their potential impact on the emerald's colour over time.
5. Opticon Filler Treatment
Opticon, a plastic polymer epoxy resin, has emerged as a noteworthy treatment method for emeralds, both rough and cut. Its application involves a meticulous injection of an emerald in a vacuum - aimed at addressing fissures, enhancing colour, and fortifying durability. This technique found its roots in Brazilian emerald stones during the 1980s, primarily to intensify the green color of the panna stone and augment its visual appeal. Despite the evident advantages of Opticon treatment in terms of durability, colour enhancement, and improved clarity, it's paramount to recognize its inherent limitations. Over time, emeralds that have undergone this treatment may develop a yellowish tint, and the treatment itself can degrade with age and exposure to specific solvents. Another notable concern associated with Opticon treatment is its potential for expansion over an extended period. This expansion can trigger the growth of initially minor fissures, ultimately influencing the long-term value of the emerald.
While Opticon holds promise in enhancing emerald durability, colour, and clarity, its relative instability in comparison to other treatments raises concerns about its potential impact on the gem's value over time. Understanding these treatment methods is crucial for consumers to make informed choices when acquiring emeralds. Each treatment has its unique advantages and potential drawbacks, and consumers should consider their preferences, priorities, and long-term maintenance when selecting emerald jewelry.
Treated vs. Natural Emeralds
Distinguishing between treated and natural emeralds is indeed crucial, and there are several facets to consider:
- Prevalence of Emerald Treatments: Most emeralds in the market have undergone some form of treatment, usually oil filling – which is the most common and accepted treatment in emeralds. Un-oiled emeralds are relatively rare and, as a result, tend to be more expensive.
- Variety of Treatments: The emerald industry employs various treatments, each with its impact on the stone. Standard oil filling is widely accepted, as it enhances clarity. Resin filling is somewhat less accepted due to potential resin degradation, but is also a somewhat accepted practice. Dyeing and irradiation treatments are less favoured, as they can affect the long-term stability and colour of a panna stone. Disclosing treatment type is essential for informed consumer choices.
- Detecting Emerald Treatments: Detecting treatments in emeralds can be a complex endeavour. When examining emeralds for potential treatments, several signs and characteristics should be observed. Visible residues may be present within the gem, particularly within surface-reaching fractures. These residues can indicate the use of oils or other treatment substances. Another indicator is an unnatural or overly uniform colour distribution within the emerald. This can suggest the use of dyeing or irradiation treatments to enhance the gem's colour. Additionally, resin-filled emeralds may exhibit signs of resin degradation or changes in clarity over time, providing clues to the use of resin-based treatments. For a more definitive assessment, it’s always recommended to get your emerald gemstone certified by a reputed gemmological laboratory. Such certificates of authenticity can detail the treatment history of an emerald, offering valuable insights into its authenticity and potential treatments.
Conclusive Reflections
To ensure certainty, consumers can also consult with experts or rely on trusted sources when purchasing emeralds to ensure they are well informed about the gem's treatment history. Emerald stone suppliers should also uphold honesty and transparency in their dealings. Disclosing treatment methods is not only an ethical obligation but also ensures that consumers make informed choices when they choose to buy panna stone online or offline.
Emeralds have remained a beloved gemstone through time, cherished for their timeless beauty and symbolism. If you wish to buy panna stone online, we invite you to explore Precious Earth’s collection of emeralds – which encompasses various types including Zambian, Colombian, Russian, and Brazilian emeralds. We’re also proud to provide a lifetime returns and exchange policy on all our emerald or panna stones – something unheard of in this industry.
