The Complete Colombian Emerald Pricing Guide

By Colombian Gems · Verified Source for Authentic Colombian Emeralds

What Makes Colombian Emeralds Unique

Colombian emeralds are recognized worldwide as the finest in quality, color, and geological purity.
Unlike emeralds from Zambia or Brazil, Colombian stones form through hydrothermal processes, producing crystals with exceptional transparency, saturation, and the unmistakable “Muzo green” hue that defines the world standard of excellence.

Every authentic Colombian emerald carries a unique geological signature the result of chromium and vanadium enrichment in ancient sedimentary rocks. The balance of these elements gives rise to a vivid green unmatched anywhere else.

At Colombian Gems, each stone originates from the country’s most prestigious mining zones Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor.

The Key Factors That Determine Emerald Value

Emerald pricing follows a structured evaluation framework recognized by gemological institutions worldwide.
The six primary factors are color, clarity, cut, carat weight, origin, and treatment.

Clarity or transparency

Emerald clarity is uniquely defined by its natural inclusions, affectionately known as the "jardín" (Spanish for "garden"). Unlike diamonds, finding an eye-clean emerald is exceptionally rare; these internal textures are normal and serve as beautiful proof of the stone's natural, geological origin and authenticity.

Clarity grades (AAA, AA, A, B, C).

  • A large emerald-cut green gemstone.

    Clarity AAA

    Investment Quality

    Description: Eye-clean. Inclusions only visible under 10× magnification.

    Transparency Level: Exceptional Transparency

  • Emerald-cut green gemstone

    Clarity AA

    High Commercial

    Description: Minor inclusions visible under magnification, not visible to the naked eye.

    Transparency Level: High Transparency

  • Green rectangular emerald gemstone.

    Clarity A

    Commercial Grade

    Description: Inclusions visible to the eye but not compromising overall transparency.

    Transparency Level: Good Transparency

  • Emerald green rectangular gemstone with beveled edges.

    Clarity B

    Low Commercial

    Description: Noticeable inclusions reducing overall brilliance.

    Transparency Level: Moderate Transparency

  • A close-up photo of a green oval-shaped gemstone with facets.

    Clarity C

    Entry Level

    Description: Opaque, heavily included, very low transparency.

    Transparency Level: Low Transparency

Color — The Decisive Factor (Matiz, Tone, and Saturation)

Color is the single most decisive factor in emerald valuation. Gemologists assess color by three core attributes

Matiz (Hue)

Definition: The dominant green tone and secondary undertones (bluish, yellowish).

Optimal Range: Pure Green or slightly Bluish-Green highest value.

Influence on Value: Pure or bluish-green hues are premium. Yellowish or grayish secondary colours reduce price.

  • A large, emerald green, step-cut gemstone with a rectangular shape and beveled corners

    Intense Bluish Green

  • Precious emerald cut emerald gemstone with a deep green color on a white background.

    Strong Bluish Green

  • Emerald cut green gemstone

    Strong Yellow Green

  • A large emerald-cut green gemstone with a step-cut design, displaying a vibrant green color.

    Bluish Green

  • A large, faceted emerald gemstone with a cushion cut and a vibrant green color.

    Light Bluish Green

  • Close-up of a round, vivid green emerald gemstone with internal reflections

    Light Yellow Green

Tone

Definition: The lightness or darkness of the color

Optimal Range: Optimal Medium Tone (Scale 3–5)

Influence on Value: Very light (pale) or overly dark (extinction) tones reduce brilliance and value.

  • Green emerald cut gemstone on a white background.

    Tone 5

  • A large, emerald-cut green gemstone with multiple facets, displayed against a white background.

    Tone 4

  • Green gemstone with a faceted round cut.

    Tone 3

  • A large, square-cut emerald gemstone with a vivid green color.

    Tone 2

  • A green, faceted, oval-shaped gemstone with visible inclusions.

    Tone 1

Saturation

Definition: The intensity, vividness, or purity of the color (brightness).

Optimal Range: Vivid (Scale 3–5)

Influence on Value: Premium Price: Strong, vivid saturation. Dull or milky color receives a commercial-grade price

  • A large, emerald-cut green gemstone, likely an emerald, with a vibrant, rich color and intricate facets.

    Saturation Level 5

  • Close-up of a bright green emerald gemstone with facets and a polished surface.

    Saturation Level 4

  • A close-up of a green gemstone, possibly an emerald, with internal reflections and inclusions.

    Satuation Level 3

  • Green gemstone with an octagonal shape and carved stepped design.

    Saturation Level 2

  • A close-up of a polished, oval-shaped green gemstone

    Saturation Level 1

Carat Weight - Size and Rarity

Emeralds increase in value exponentially, not linearly, with weight. This rapid escalation is driven by the extreme rarity of finding high-quality material in larger sizes.

The per-carat price jump is most pronounced when exceptional quality is maintained

1 CT  = 0,2 gr

1 gr    = 5 CT

  • Emerald-cut green gemstone on a white background.

    >7 Carats

    Rarity Level: Exceptional Rarity

    Typical Use & Value Impact: Museum or investment category. Per-carat value is at its highest.

  • Emerald-cut green gemstone

    4-6 Carats

    Rarity Level: Collector Grade

    Typical Use & Value Impact: Collector and high-investment range. Significant price jump.

  • Emerald-cut green gemstone

    1-4 Carats

    Rarity Level: Standard Fine

    Typical Use & Value Impact: Standard fine jewelry range. Baseline for high commercial valuation.

  • A vibrant green square-shaped gemstone with beveled edges, isolated on a white background.

    < 1 Carats

    Rarity Level: Common

    Typical Use & Value Impact: Small stones, suitable for calibrated jewelry. Lowest per-carat price.

Treatment Level — Transparency vs. Enhancement

Almost all natural emeralds receive minor oiling to fill microscopic fissures. However, treatment intensity directly affects value and must be disclosed.

Gemological laboratories use terms like None, Insignificant, Minor, Moderate, and Significant to define the degree of clarity enhancement. Stones categorized as Insignificant are the rarest after Untreated, as they show virtually no evidence of enhancement.

  • Natural (Untreated)

    No oil/resin detected.

    Highest Rarity & Price Premium

  • Insignificant

    Traces of oil so minute that a definitive judgment cannot be made, or only detected at the micro-level.

    Commands a premium close to "Untreated" due to minimal enhancement.

  • Minor Oil

    Small traces of cedarwood oil in fissures, visible only under magnification.

    Standard, widely accepted, no value reduction compared to the baseline.

  • Moderate Oil

    Visible under 10× magnification, slightly improving clarity.

    –10% to –20% value adjustment compared to Minor/Insignificant.

  • Resin

    Synthetic filling (polymers) used to stabilize cracks.

    –30% to –50% value reduction. Not accepted by Colombian Gems.

Pricing Overview — How Emerald Value Is Determined

Emerald price is influenced by the combined effect of color, clarity, carat weight, and treatment not by any single factor alone.
To understand Colombian emerald value and how emeralds are priced, it’s important to see how these elements interact to define overall quality.
The stronger the color, the cleaner the clarity, the larger the carat weight, and the lower the treatment, the higher the gemstone sits on the pricing scale.