Gemmological emerald appraisal for jewelry and emeralds
Would you like to have your emerald jewelry or emeralds valued?
Emerald is the exclusive name given to the green variety of the mineral beryl. Their rarity and intense color made them coveted jewels that adorned kings and nobles throughout the ages. The color spectrum of emeralds ranges from a light yellow-green to an intense blue-green. The highest quality and most sought-after colors are vivid, intense shades that are neither too light nor too dark.
The green color of emeralds comes from traces of chromium or vanadium. Emeralds almost always have visible inclusions – also called “jardin” (French for garden). Beryls in other colors are called e.g. aquamarine (blue), gold beryl (yellow), morganite (pink), heliodor (green-yellow / yellow-green) or goshenite (colorless).
Which gemstones does the GLA evaluate?
You are welcome to have your cut emeralds objectively measured, analyzed and valued according to scientific criteria in our gemmological laboratory. Please note that we only grade cut gemstones and not rough gemstones or minerals.
How is the value of an emerald determined?
The quality of an emerald is determined – based on the criteria for diamond grading – using the 4 Cs as follows:
- Carat (weight)
- Color (Color)
- Clarity (purity)
- Cut
Saturation, intensity and a vibrant glow have the same effect as the color of an emerald. The perfect cut makes the green colored gemstone sparkle and underlines its characteristic properties.
What influences the value of emeralds?
A high-quality emerald has no disturbing inclusions and is characterized by its bright green color. Emeralds are almost always riddled with cracks due to their brittle crystal structure. To make these less visible and improve the impression of purity, these colored gemstones have been treated with oil for centuries or, more recently, with resin.
However, as oil or resin changes over time, cracks treated in this way can become visible again after a certain period of time. Although these purity treatments are customary and accepted in the trade, the demand for untreated or only slightly treated emeralds is very high on the gemstone market.
The following factors reduce the value of an emerald or your emerald jewelry:
- Inclusions, such as cracks
- Artificial treatments such as crack filling with oil or resin
- Damage and signs of wear
GLA – Your partner for emerald appraisals
We have been providing objective and independent appraisals for diamonds and colored gemstones for over 40 years – the Gemmologisches Labor Austria with its sworn and court-certified expert Adeline Lageder enjoys a high reputation in the industry. With its specially developed grading system for colored gemstones, the GLA has made an excellent name for itself throughout Europe.
This is how your emerald appraisal is carried out:
Our experts determine – objectively and independently – the value of emeralds and other gemstones as well as manufactured jewelry. During the appraisal, the weight and dimensions, color, purity, cut (type, shape, quality) as well as any treatments, damage and other value-reducing defects of the gemstone are scientifically examined using state-of-the-art technical laboratory equipment.
Thanks to our many years of experience, we can usually narrow down the location of an emerald to a specific region using inclusion diagnostics and other analytical methods. Most of the world’s highest quality emeralds come from Colombia. Currently, many emeralds also come from Zambia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have established themselves as high-quality mining areas for emeralds.
The Gemmological Laboratory Austria (GLA) has developed its own grading system for colored gemstones in order to objectively assess the quality of emeralds. With the help of this system and by comparing it with international price lists and current market trends, we determine the value of your gemstone at the desired retail level. You too can rely on our many years of experience and have an independent and objective diagnostic and/or appraisal report drawn up, which is recognized and valued by banks, insurance companies, courts and well-known auction houses and gemstone dealers.
We will be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation.
Make an appointment for your emerald appraisal now!