Is Good Clarity Important for Emerald Engagement Rings?

As one of the four Cs, colour, clarity, cut and carat, it is clear that the clarity of a gemstone should be considered by couples before purchasing any ring. Indeed, clarity is very important to any decision concerning diamonds, but when it comes to emerald engagement rings, the clarity of an emerald is nowhere near as important as the colour. However, it is still worthy of consideration, particularly if it is something you and your partner feel strongly about.

As you might expect, emerald engagement rings become more expensive as the clarity of a stone improves – just like diamonds – but unlike diamonds, emeralds do not have a clear grading scale. This is because we expect to see inclusions and general imperfections in the majority of emeralds – around 99%. In fact, such is the presence of flaws in emeralds that people are often suspicious if a stone is flawless and may suspect it of being unnaturally made.

The GIA classifies emeralds as ‘type III’ which means that they are almost always included. The inclusions, the result of bits of liquid, gas and other minerals in an emerald, are known as ‘jardin’, the French word for garden, as inclusions can sometimes look like the branches or the roots of a tree. However, the clarity of an emerald should not have too much influence on your decision to buy a stone, as the degree to which clarity affects a stone’s appearance is quite subject. Regardless, most buyers place a greater emphasis on colour and are prepared to sacrifice clarity for the sake of that brilliant green hue. However, even though you can expect inclusions in most emerald engagement rings, you need to take care to avoid emeralds that have inclusions that resemble bubbles or have imperfections that look arranged in a specific order. Also, try to buy an emerald that has its inclusions in the centre, rather than near the surface, as this will mean your emerald will be more durable and strong. This is important, especially as emeralds are not as hard as diamonds.

As a result of their included nature, it has become a standard practice to treat emeralds with oils or resins to enhance clarity. So if you prefer a ring that is untreated, then perhaps emerald engagement rings aren’t the best choice for you. All emeralds, however, should be sold with a full disclosure of treatment. You should also be aware that an emerald may need re-oiling after some years, but do not focus too much on the clarity as emeralds are generally bought for their stunning colouring.

Frederick Holm writes for the F&L Designer Guides, which hosts a thriving community of independent engagement ring designers in the UK. Inspired by their journey of discovery in search of distinctive, one-of-a-kind emerald engagement rings, F&L now celebrates the works of their favourite designers and helps promote the notion of "Go Bespoke" as a more imaginative and interesting alternative to the limitations of High Street shopping.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.