Most gemologists agree that the darker, bluish-green emeralds are most valuable
Always examine emeralds under fluorescent lighting, looking for uniformity of color
Pick a stone that compliments your skin tone, hair color and wardrobe

Since emeralds are a member of the beryl family of gems along with aquamarine, morganite and goshenite, among others, one might thing that emerald is simply green beryl. Truth be told, the yellowish-green beryl is called green beryl, while lighter, bluish-green beryl is classified as aquamarine. Therefore the lofty distinction of emerald is reserved for a vaguely specific hue of green that is determined by gemologists with the following factors.

Hue: There is no precise green for emeralds. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA)considers anything in the darker bluish-green to vivid green stones emeralds, with bluish-green as most valuable. While many gem dealers will sell yellowish-green stones as emeralds. It is generally agreed, though, that the lightest of the green stones are considered green beryl.

Tone: Refers to the range of lightness to darkness of emeralds; from very light to very dark.

Purity: This factor looks for overtones of gray or brown. Presence of these tones greatly reduces the quality and value of emeralds. You want pure green, no matter what the tone or hue.

Coloring Agent: There is much controversy over exactly what chemical make-up qualifies a gem as emerald. All you really need to know is that the GIA and most gem dealers are far more concerned with the actual color than the chemical analysis of the stone. Think green. But if you want to know the composition, remember that the GIA considers any stone not colored by iron to be emerald.

Examining emeralds for color quality is tricky, but here’s a few tips you may find helpful:

1. Wipe the stone with a soft cloth. Look at the stone under a fluorescent light.
2. What is the dominant hue? Light green? Bluish-green? etc. If your overall impression is black, brown or gray, pick another stone
3. Think in terms of what color works best for you. Just because the GIA says bluish-green is the most valuable, doesn’t mean it’s right for you
4. Examine the emerald over a variety of colored backgrounds. Does the color wash out? Does the stone turn black? You are looking for a gem that retains the strength of its green under almost all circumstances
5. Look at the stone from the top, bottom and sides. You are looking for evenly distributed color.

The main thing to keep in mind is that there is no set standard for judging an emerald’s color. Although most experts agree that the darker bluish-green hues are the cream of the crop, it is still subjective and the final decision can be yours to play with. Isn’t that nice to know?

Answer to quiz: d