Emerald Clarity Guide: How Inclusions Affect Quality and Value

Emerald inclusions are materials inside the mineral that get trapped during the gemstone formation. These are generally referred to as “Gardin”. Since emerald stone are type 3 gemstones, they have inclusions present during their geological formation. These inclusions, when high in the stone, make them look dull. 

Whereas few or no inclusions enhance the overall transparency and light reflection of the stone. Higher clarity is one of the factors that contributes to the gemstone price. Emerald clarity defines its value and price, so understanding it is highly important.  In this blog, we explore how inclusions in emerald affect their quality and value. Moreover, it also helps you choose the right gemstone for jewelry, investment, or astrology. 

What Is Emerald Clarity? 

Emerald clarity refers to the number of visible inclusions present. It affects the overall look of the stone. If the number is high, the clarity is low, and vice versa. In emeralds ( panna stone ), inclusions are a common feature due to their natural formation. Gemmologists look for inclusions or internal flaws in stones with the help of a jeweler’s loop or a gemmological microscope. 

Emerald inclusions under a microscope feature gas bubbles, mineral crystals, needle-like inclusions, feathers, and fractures. A single inclusion cannot prove the authenticity of an emerald; thus, gemmologists have to observe all the inclusions collectively. If you want to know more about emerald inclusions, then read our blog: A Closer Look at Emerald Inclusions  

Why Emerald Clarity Is Different from Diamond Clarity 

Unlike diamonds, natural emerald stone almost always contain visible inclusions. Emeralds are classified as Type III gemstones, meaning inclusions are natural to them. These inclusions, often called jardin (French for "garden"), are formed during the gemstone's natural growth deep within the Earth. Diamonds have higher clarity. Fewer internal inclusions allow light to pass through more freely, producing greater brilliance and sparkle.

Diamond clarity is strongly considered compared to colored gemstones. Few inclusions command high prices. For emeralds, color is considered more important than perfect clarity. Vivid green emeralds with high clarity are prized compared to the ones with pale color and low clarity. 

How Clarity Affects Emerald Quality and Value 

As stated before, these gems fall under type 3 gemstones. This means that almost every panna stone has internal inclusions. So, if you think you can find emeralds without inclusions, you need to be very lucky. Emerald gemstones with few or no inclusions are considered rare and command high prices. Clarity affects the stone quality and value in the following ways: 

• Beauty and transparency: Higher clarity means higher transparency in emeralds. This means more color is reflected, making it shine beautifully. 
• Rarity: Panna stones with no inclusions are rare, making them heirloom-choice gemstones. 
• Market value: Clarity is one of the key factors that determines an emerald's market value. Stones with good transparency and bright green color are expensive compared to the ones with lower transparency and dull color. It's not just clarity that determines the market value; other factors such as color, cut, carat weight, treatment, and origin also influence it. Thus, while buying an emerald stone, consider all these factors too.
  Read more in our blog: Emerald Stone Price in India  
• Investment potential: Emeralds without inclusions and good color have investment potential. If you want to resell these gems, you will get a good price provided you also have an authentic certificate with you. 

Emerald Clarity Grades Explained 

From the above discussion, it is clear that emeralds do have inclusions, and it is their natural characteristic. But clarity grades measure the number of inclusions and, based on that, the market price of the stone. Here are the clarity grades of emeralds: 

• Flawless (F): Panna stones with no inclusions are referred to as flawless. In flawless emeralds, light is reflected more, making the stone shine. 
• VVS: These gems with very very slight inclusions are considered good quality in terms of clarity. 
• SI (Slightly Included): Slightly included: These emeralds show jardin inclusions that are visible under a microscope. 
• Included (I): Though inclusions are common to these green natural stones, an excess of these can make the stone look dull.

Tips for Choosing the Right Emerald Clarity 

Emeralds have inclusions, and these imperfections are to be accepted when you decide to buy it. What to look for when choosing an emerald stone based on clarity: 

• Prioritize color before clarity. 
• Buy certified natural emeralds. 
• Don't avoid inclusions entirely. High inclusions make the stone look dull. Check for inclusions. Best emeralds are the ones with few or no inclusions.
  Read More: Why Are Untreated Emeralds More Expensive?  
• Ask about treatments. Oiling is the main treatment done to improve clarity. Buyers should always ask whether the stone has been treated and request a certification that clearly discloses the extent of treatment. 

To conclude, clarity is a significant factor to evaluate emeralds' value. Finding these stones with no inclusions is difficult. At Navratan, we have selected pieces of inclusion-free emeralds (panna stone) from the best sources. All of these are natural and untreated. Whether you are looking for gemstones for astrological purposes or an engagement ring, our emerald collection is for you.