One of the world’s most beautiful gemstones is undoubtedly emeralds. People worldwide are always intrigued by the uniqueness of its green hues and depth. The emerald is regarded as a stone that symbolizes love and rebirth and is a firm favorite for engagement rings among couples. The most asked question among emerald lovers is whether emeralds can crack.
Though emeralds are one of the toughest gemstones, unfortunately, they can crack or chip if you don’t take proper care. The good news? It can be repaired, but leave it to the professionals. It’s a short and straightforward process – oiling the gemstone to fill the crack. A variety of oils are used.
The beautiful shades of green will always captivate you. Emeralds fall within the group of the four traditional gemstones considered precious. This group of four gems also includes diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. But why are emeralds so eye-catching? Let’s investigate and find out whether emeralds can crack and what can be done if they do.
Can Emeralds Crack?
Most precious stones can indeed crack. Emeralds are not excluded. Even though they are a more rigid type of gemstone, they can crack or chip. Interestingly, they rate 7.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. This scale indicates mineral hardness. A diamond is the only mineral that scores ten on the scale of mineral hardness.
Emeralds are oil treated and produce a beautiful gemstone with exquisite clarity. Emeralds are known for their inclusions and fractures within the mineral. The purpose of these oil treatments is to fill the inclusions, including the fractures. The oil treatments improve the appearance of the gemstone.
Keep in mind that oil treatments are not a permanent solution. It’s a temporary solution and can break down as time goes on under some conditions.
Can You Oil Or Clean Your Emeralds At Home?
It is advisable not to oil treat your natural emerald gemstones yourself. You can easily damage your gem permanently. Most people are even under the impression that they can clean their gemstones with hot water and dish soap. Steaming your emerald or ultrasonic cleaning will increase the existing fractures. It’s best to leave it in the hands of professionals.
When it comes to lab-created emerald gemstones, never soak emeralds. Most emeralds contain fractures; soaking them in water, especially hot water, will weaken the fillings. So, how can you clean your emeralds at home? Here are some essential tips:
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm soapy water.
- Take a soft cloth and gently wipe the emerald.
- Don’t scrub or scrape it.
- After cleaning it, you can submerge the gemstone in a bowl of clean lukewarm water.
- This will make sure all the soap and residue are off your emerald.
- The last step – use a clean microfibre cloth to dry it properly.
The above tips will help you preserve your gemstone. Always remember the difference between natural gemstones and lab-created gemstones, especially when following the above information!
Can Emeralds Have Cracks Or Inclusions?
How can we differentiate between cracks and inclusions? Gemstones such as emeralds can either have cracks or inclusions, sometimes even both. Continue reading, and we will help you to distinguish between the two!
How Can Cracks Be Identified In Your Emerald?
Small cracks or fractures occur naturally in the mineral. Unfortunately, cracks and inclusions can appear identical. An expert will be able to determine the differences. A crack in an emerald begins at the base of the gemstone and eventually moves to the surface.
If the emerald has too many cracks, it can impact the lastingness of the gemstone. Ultimately, it leads to the chipping of the emerald. This is something to be cautious about. It is important to note that a crack can also be an inclusion that has begun to wear out. Cracks can appear in the weaker section of the gemstone. These types of damages occur around the edges.
How Can You Identify Inclusions In Your Emerald?
Firstly, what are the inclusions? They can be described as natural impurities in a gemstone. Inclusions are inside the gem, and it stays the same. Inclusions are naturally formed in nature. Besides this, they can give an emerald some character. Inclusions can increase the value of an emerald. It is crucial to remember that the lesser the inclusions in your emerald, the more the value would be.
Inclusions are characteristic by nature. They can also differ in appearance. Cracks, on the other hand, lack all of these attributes.
There is no doubt that gemstones will stay eye-catching, but emeralds are beautiful. They will forever look classy, whether in a ring or necklace. In addition, because emeralds are such durable gemstones, they can be worn daily.
Why Are Emeralds Loved Gemstones?
Emeralds are May birthstones and signify love, growth, and rebirth. This unique gemstone has been treasured for over 4000 years. This gemstone is naturally formed in volcanoes. The belly of mother earth! Emeralds are believed to improve your cognitive ability. Those who wear an emerald are gifted with expressive style.
It is believed that they protect your marriage, improve fertility, and it eases childbirth. It is speculated that an emerald can cure epilepsy, panic attacks, and psychiatric problems. This velvety green gemstone also represents the uncovering of balance and harmony.
Can You Wear A Cracked Emerald?
Most people think that wearing a cracked emerald will not affect its structure. It is not a good idea to wear a cracked emerald. It will only compromise the structure of the gemstone further. Dust, soap, and other chemicals can get stuck in the crack.
Due to the latter, the whole appearance of the emerald would change. It’s worth mentioning that even temperatures can impact a cracked emerald. Some folk believes that a cracked emerald stone can bring good luck and that its energetic attributes will stay intact, despite the crack.
The best option would be to take your cracked emerald to an expert. An expert is in a position to advise you and fix your cracked emerald.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that emeralds are beautiful gemstones. Its piercing green color will captivate you. Whether you wear it in a ring, necklace, or bracelet, it will always look stunning. People love emeralds for their beauty but also for the spiritual powers they possess. These beautiful gemstones have been a symbol of love, growth, and rebirth for decades. Emeralds will always be beautiful gemstones.
