Oiling is a standard industry practice for enhancing emerald gemstones. Most, but not all, emeralds receive oil treatments. These gems may lose their oil over time or by accident. However, it is possible to re-oil emeralds. “Emerald” with a traditional oil treatment. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

Oiling is a standard industry practice for enhancing emeralds. Most, but not all, emerald gems receive oil treatments. These gems may lose their oil over time or by accident. However, it is possible to re-oil emeralds. “Emerald” with a traditional oil treatment. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

Question

Does anyone have any advice on how to re-oil emeralds? I recently had the misfortune of dopping an oiled emerald. The oil seeped out of the stone after being heated. I would really like to re-oil this gem. It looked great with the oil treatment. Can anyone help me?

Regards,

Brenton

Answer

Before you re-oil emeralds, make sure you have actually removed all the old oil. You can do this by slowly simmering the stone in soapy water. Soaking it in a solvent like alcohol will also do the trick.

Emeralds almost always have inclusions. Some oil treatments try to make an emerald's jardin, or “garden,” of inclusions more pleasing visually. Oil treatments are also used to enhance color. “Emerald Ring” by Mauro Cateb is licensed under CC By 2.0

Emeralds almost always have inclusions. Some oil treatments try to make an emerald’s jardin (or “garden”) of inclusions more pleasing visually. Oil treatments are also used to enhance color. “Emerald Ring” by Mauro Cateb is licensed under CC By 2.0

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!

Sincerely,

Donald Clark, CSM IMG