Emeralds and diamonds are both precious stones that have been highly sought after for centuries. While they’re both beautiful, they also have distinct characteristics that make them different from each other. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the key differences between emeralds and diamonds so you can make an informed decision about which type of gemstone is right for you.
Hardness and Durability
One of the main differences between emeralds and diamonds is hardness and durability. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, diamonds rank 10 out of 10, making them the hardest known natural material on earth. This means that they’re very resistant to scratching and chipping. Emeralds, on the other hand, are less hard than diamonds; they rank 7.5-8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale and are therefore more prone to scratches and chips.
Colour & Clarity
The color of a gemstone is also a key difference between emeralds and diamonds. Emeralds come in a range of shades from light green to deep green, while diamonds typically come in shades of white or grey (although there are some colored varieties). When it comes to clarity, both emeralds and diamonds can contain inclusions but emeralds tend to be less clear than diamonds due to their lower hardness rating. This means that flaws in an emerald will be more visible than in a diamond.
Emerald Cut vs Round Brilliant Cut When buying either type of gemstone, you may notice that there are different cuts available. The most common cut for diamond jewelry is a round brilliant cut which has 58 facets designed to maximize sparkle and brilliance. Emerald cuts tend to be square or rectangular with fewer facets than round brilliant cuts; this gives them a softer “glow” rather than intense sparkle like round brilliants have.
Cost
When it comes to buying precious stones, emeralds and diamonds are the two most highly sought-after options. Both emerald and diamond have great intrinsic value, but emerald is often more available at a lower cost. Emerald can typically be found for about one-third of the price of a similar quality diamond. It’s important to keep in mind that emeralds may not hold their value quite as well over time as some other gemstones, however, emeralds are still well worth considering when making a jewelry purchase or investment.
Emeralds and diamonds are two of the most precious gemstones in the world. While emeralds and diamonds certainly have different features that set them apart, they share many similarities as well. When it comes to cost and worth, emeralds and diamonds each offer their own unique appeal. Of course, emeralds are generally less expensive than diamonds, but when comparing value for money emeralds can stand up to diamonds quite well. While emeralds may not offer the same enduring value as a diamond in some cases, emeralds also tend to feature an incomparable vibrancy that attracts jewelry buyers from all across the world. As a result, price comparison between emeralds and diamonds must include more than just cost if an informed decision is going to be made.
Additional Resources:
We recommend doing your own research and consulting with a jeweler before making any decisions about what type of gemstone to buy. Additionally, here are some helpful resources for further reading:
- Gemological Institute of America – Information on Diamonds https://www.gia.edu/diamond-education-guide
- International Gem Society – Emerald Cuts https://www.gemsociety.org/article/emerald-cut-2/