Like diamonds and other precious gemstones, emeralds are graded in quality based on the four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. There is also a fifth factor, transparency, that is used to grade emeralds. When selecting loose emeralds, learning the 4Cs can help you make the right choice in terms of preference and cost.

Most all emeralds receive a colorless oil treatment to improve clarity. This is an accepted industry practice. Also on the market are various synthetic emeralds which are getting harder to tell apart from natural emeralds.

To better inform you, we also talk about imitation emeralds as well as common emerald misrepresentations and false claims.