Emerald education
2 min read

Choosing an emerald: look beyond carat weight

A meaningful emerald comparison starts with appearance, not weight alone. Look at the balance of hue, tone and saturation, then consider how readily light travels through the stone.

Three things to look for

  • Color: vivid green to bluish green is especially prized, with an attractive tone that is not excessively dark.
  • Transparency: inclusions are normal in emerald, but their effect on the stone matters more than simply counting them.
  • Cut: proportions influence the impression of color, while the cutter must also work around fissures and vulnerable areas.

For your shortlist, compare stones together under the same lighting. Record dimensions as well as weight, and ask to see both still photographs and a video.

Source and further reading: Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Emerald Quality Factors. This is an original Real Gems editorial summary, not a reproduction of the source article. Source credit does not imply endorsement.

From the Real Gems collection

Look closely at the stone

Similar weights, different proportions: compare a 4.71 ct octagonal emerald with a 4.30 ct oval. Look at their dimensions and outlines as well as carat weight.

Octagon emerald

Octagonal outline

Octagon emerald

4.71 ct · 1 stone

Explore the stone →
Oval emerald

Oval outline

Oval emerald

4.30 ct · 1 stone

Explore the stone →

Photography illustrates individual stones; lighting and scale can differ between images. Product photographs: Real Gems Inc.