Okay, you’re ready to go buy the green gemstone of your dreams. Print out this sheet, take a soft cloth and a 10X magnifying loupe, and hit the stores.

Color: Anything from light to dark green is acceptable. Bluish-green stones from Columbia are considered the ultimate. Examine the stone under fluorescent lighting from all angles for uniformity and consistency of color distribution.

Clarity: Remember that all gemstones are flawed. The only flaws that are unacceptable are those that endanger durability (like deep cracks) or block transparency (internal fluid deposits that give the stone a milky, opaque appearance.)

Cut: Emeralds come in any cut you like. The emerald and round cuts tend to be the most valuable. Look for clean, sharp facets. Check from all angles for proportion, symmetry and finish. Crown too high? Culet off center? Big window on top? Ask about depth percentages. (Confused? refer back to the "Cut" section of this guide for details.)

Carat Weight: Think in terms of price per carat, not total cost. Cost per carat varies with cut, size and quality. Emeralds under 1/2 carat will be sold by the millimeter. Always compare stones of equal size and weight with one another as density can vary.

Treatments: Almost all emeralds have been oiled for clarity enhancement. That’s fine. Ask if a stone has been epoxy enhanced. This practice has lost stature in recent years and is now considered not acceptable. Always get treatments in writing.

Synthetics and Imitations: If a stone is too perfect, the price is unbelievable, the facets are too simple, the flaws don’t look like those you see in other emeralds, the dealer tells you "this CZ is a lab grown emerald" beware. Always shop at reputable dealers, don’t buy over the phone or mail until you check the company out thoroughly and get a full money back guarantee. Make sure you get all synthetics and imitations written on your bill of sale.