How to Re-Oil Emeralds Safely and Easily
Oil treatment is a standard industry practice for enhancing emeralds. However, the treatments are not permanent. Learn how to re-oil emeralds safely.
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Answer: Before you re-oil emeralds, make sure you have actually removed all the old oil. You can do this by slowly simmering — not boiling — the stone in soapy water. Soaking it in a solvent like alcohol will also do the trick.
To re-oil emeralds, all you need to do is submerge the stone in an appropriate solution (oil, epoxy, etc). Next, place the stone and the solution somewhere warm. The back of a stove or a sunny window in summer are great locations. Keep it at about 100° F for a day or two. That is all there is to it!
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This article is also a part of our Emerald Specialist Mini Course, in the unit Emerald Care and Repair.
Sincerely,
Donald Clark, CSM IMG
Editor's note: You could also try this vacuum method for re-oiling emeralds.
International Gem Society
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