How to Check Emerald Stone is Real?

Emeralds are one of the world’s most precious gemstones. As its popularity is growing, we have seen many synthetic and imitation stones in the market. Therefore, it is a must to know how to check if an emerald stone is real. 


Here in this blog, we’ll help you with the different methods that might help you verify the originality of the emerald stone. These methods are tested and verified by trusted jewelry sources. 

How to check if the Emerald Stone is Real?

1. Look for Inclusions and Flaws (Magnification/Loupe Test)

Many of the jewelry experts noticed that when natural emeralds are placed under the magnifying glass, you may find an internal world of inclusion. These inclusions are known as the jardin, which translates to "garden" in French. Furthermore, these natural characteristics are not imperfections to be avoided; they are signs, or you can say as a fingerprint that might help to verify the authenticity. 


These characteristics, including fractures, trapped minerals, and fluid-filled cavities, are accepted as hallmarks of authenticity. Additionally, when you use a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass (10x magnification works well), you'll notice these garden-like patterns that simulate delicate branches or moss within the stone.


If the emerald stone presented to you is synthetic and manufactured in laboratories might look perfect and clean. However, if your emerald looks completely flawless, this is the biggest sign of a synthetic gemstone. Additionally, emeralds that are perfect are very rare to find in the market. 

2. Evaluate Color Hue and Tone

The color of the emerald gemstone has its own story. If a gemstone is real, then you might see a range of green colors that are different from colored glass and other gemstones available in the market. To be specific, the authentic emerald gemstone has a bluish green to green variety of beryl, with a highly saturated green color indicating high quality.


Additionally, when you assess emerald color, it is also advised to look for different characteristics. The first characteristic should be green, which should look natural; synthetic might have a bright or neon-like color. 


Additionally, authentic emeralds may have subtle blue or yellow undertones, which contribute to their unique appearance. Furthermore, the color distribution should be relatively even throughout the stone, though some natural variation adds character.

On the other hand, fake emeralds manufactured from glass tend to have an extremely uniform, sometimes garish green color that lacks depth. Similarly, if the green seems too perfect or colorful, this often signals synthetic materials that compromise authenticity.

3. Check for Sparkle and Light Reflection

Another effective method to check if the emerald stone is real is its interactions with the light. Natural emeralds have an individual crystal structure that generates a sparkle totally different from other gemstones. Specifically, authentic emeralds have what we call a "subtle glow" or soft shine rather than the magnificent fire characteristic of diamonds.


When you rotate the natural or authentic gemstone in the light, you’ll see a light reflection. In fact, this reflection is just what makes emeralds so attractive in fine jewelry. 


Moreover, authentic emeralds have an individual refractive index that laboratories use for verification. While you may not have refractometer equipment at home, observing how light reflects within the stone proves to be a valuable preliminary insight into its authenticity.

4. Assess Weight and Density

Weight is also an effective sign to identify if an emerald stone is real. Natural emerald has specific gravity and density attributes that vary significantly from glass, plastic, or other artificial materials typically utilized in artificial jewelry. Therefore, when you hold a natural emerald, it should have apparent weight for its size. 


The density is one of the physical properties that makes emeralds feel luxurious in the hand. In comparison, glass fakes often experience lighter or sometimes heavier, depending on the glass type utilized, but the weight distribution feels different from real gemstones.


Additionally, natural emeralds of similar sizes should have moderately uniform weight, though variations happen due to distinct inclusion patterns. For this reason, jewelry professionals often use precision scales to measure gemstone weight in carats, which can help identify obvious fakes. However, remember that this test works best when combined with other authentication methods.

5. Use the Cool Touch and Professional Filter Tests

Natural emerald has properties that often respond differently when put under specific temperatures and lighting. 


You can start with a cool touch test. In this test, you have put the gemstone against your cheek or in your hand. It should feel cool in your hand. This coldness is the result of the authentic emerald's high thermal conductivity. However, if the gemstone is fake, it would warm up much quickly, and won’t hold the cooling nature for a long period of time. 



Furthermore, professional jewelers often employ a Chelsea filter test to verify emerald authenticity. It is an optical filter that helps gemologists differentiate natural emeralds from synthetic ones by observing how the stone appears under specific lighting conditions. Natural emeralds typically appear reddish or pinkish when viewed through a Chelsea filter. However, this testing method needs professional equipment and expertise. 


Nevertheless, while these tests might help you to have some preliminary information, we always recommend seeking professional gemological certification for valuable emerald purchases. Reputable gemological laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provide authentication services that give you complete confidence in your investment.

Conclusion

The methods to verify if the emerald stone is real often demand attention, knowledge of natural properties, and, most importantly, a certificate for verification.  


The five methods we have discussed above would help you find the natural emeralds. So, whether you want to buy an engagement ring, necklace, or earrings, always purchase from reputable jewelry suppliers that have a certification. Ultimately, consulting with certified gemologists ensures that your emerald jewelry will be treasured for generations to come.

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