Between sessionsThe next catalogue is in preparation
Sun, 2 Aug · AWST
Teals
Emerald

Loose emerald at auction in Australia

Emerald is the green variety of beryl, and it is the classic example of a stone that is not expected to be clean. Its inclusions are so characteristic that the trade calls them the jardin. An eye-clean emerald of good colour is scarce and priced as such.

The great majority of emerald on the market has been treated with oil or resin to reduce the visibility of surface-reaching fractures. This is accepted practice and it is also a treatment, which means it is disclosed, and it means an emerald should never be put through an ultrasonic cleaner.

What to look for in emerald

  • Colour first. In emerald, colour carries more of the price than clarity does.
  • Whether oiling or resin is disclosed, and at what degree if it is known.
  • Fractures that reach the surface, which affect durability rather than just appearance.

What emerald has sold for at Teals

We have not sold emerald at auction yet. When we do, every lot and the price it realised will be listed here. The full record book carries every session we have run.

Emerald open for bidding

No emerald is on the block at the moment. The saleroom opens at 7pm AWST, and the session board lists every catalogue you can browse and bid on early.

Reading on emerald

Eye-clean, or included

Why coloured stones do not use the diamond clarity scale, and how we grade with two honest words instead of ten misleading ones.

Heat, and why we don't

Most sapphire on the market is heated. Ours is not, and we say so. What treatment does to a stone, and to its price.