How much does an emerald cost?

Our price decipherer helps you find out how much an emerald costs, along with what influences the gem's value. Highly sought-after, emerald is considered a rare gem, but price ranges can vary.

Key information on how much an emerald can cost

Emerald prices rise according to certain characteristics, starting with an intense, even color, the most traditional being a deep green. Add to this excellent clarity and you have an exceptional emerald. For this quality, connoisseurs prefer Colombian emeralds.

Where they come from is also important. Zambian emeralds and Brazilian emeralds, which can be very beautiful, are often less expensive, partly because they are readily available.

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What brings down the cost of an emerald

Provenance, as we've already mentioned, too many inclusions and/or a color deemed too light, a secondary shade that's a little too yellow, a weight of less than 1 carat and certain treatments. Without treatment, an emerald will cost much more.

The majority of emeralds undergo heating, and many have also been treated with (natural) oils. These treatments are accepted in jewelry and considered normal, to improve their appearance. Other treatments (synthetic oil, resins) are not desirable.

Criteria such as color, clarity, origin and treatments, not to mention the cut, vary the price per carat, from around €50 to over €5,000. The most expensive emeralds are over 5 carats, which is extremely rare.

Note that emerald is the stone of the month of May. Discover your birthstone.

The color criterion in the price of emeralds

An important criterion for estimating the cost of an emerald, the color is ideally vivid, well saturated, but neither too dark nor too light. That said, there is no specific color that is superior to the others, in terms of beauty. A slight bluish tinge is also appreciated, as on many Colombian emeralds, or the blue-green of Panshir emeralds. And even lighter shades, as long as they are not pale.

The most important thing is the absence of colored areas, for good uniformity, which is achieved in part by quality cutting. Cutting emeralds can minimize imperfections, bring out the color and make them more resistant, as they are delicate stones.

We'll help you find the perfect stone for an emerald ring or investment; don't hesitate to get in touch.

How clarity influences value

Emeralds are among the most included stones. When the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, but only with a magnifying glass, the value is higher.

Exceptional clarity is rare. If, on top of that, the color is superb, that makes emeralds expensive, even if they are small. That's why emeralds are reputed to be expensive.

Clarity is the key to brilliance. The purest emeralds have a beautiful brilliance. These specimens are preferred for emerald engagement rings.

Emeralds cost more depending on where they come from

- Colombian emeralds are the most famous (color/shine) and tend to cost more. And demand is high for stones that are now running out.

- Although they are still precious stones, those from Zambia are generally more "affordable".

- Some have high prices, but Brazilian emeralds tend to be among the least expensive.

- Afghan emeralds are among the most expensive, as are those from Pakistan.

- The Zimbabwean ones, quite small, have beautiful shades and attractive prices.

Other countries produce it, but the quality is quite variable, as in Madagascar and Tanzania.

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