COLOUR ME GREEN

Even with the inclusions, fractures, and fissures that are integral to an emerald, it's allure remains undiminished. The question is what enhancements should you allow?

- RICHA GOYAL SIKRI

The mesmerising beauty of an emerald is incomparable as it glimmers under celestial light. Despite the adoration for this mineral gift of nature, acquiring one can be intimidating. In an emerald, you’ll find a garden of inclusions, fractures, and fissures, an integral part of its character. But like any garden, emeralds also require care to enhance their natural allure.

Makeup helps us hide blemishes and achieve clear, smooth skin. We also utilise fillers such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, botox, and more. Similarly, the gem industry uses fillers to improve the look of emeralds. Because of their close refractive index to emeralds, these fillers improve the clarity and lustre of the gemstone by reducing the visibility of fractures and fissures.

While there are a variety of substances used by the industry to enhance emeralds, cedarwood oil and epoxy resin remain the top choices. Although the term ‘oil’ may sound organic and natural, the type used for emerald treatments is scientific grade with high viscosity, unlike the one used for cooking or by the wellness industry. There are two types of cedarwood oil: natural, obtained through industrial methods, and synthetic, which is more affordable. Oil can pose a challenge, because depending on the nature of the surface reaching fissure, the oil may dry over time, necessitating re-oiling.