Can Emerald Go In Water?

For over six thousand years, an enchanting green royalty has ruled the realm of gemstones unperturbed. Lucky guesses on the name? Yes, it is our sole emerald. Such a unique stone also needs special care, and one crucial aspect is knowing how it behaves in water. 

So, read on to explore whether your emerald, one of the rarest gemstones in the world, can go in the water. After all, we are talking about emeralds, and respect is paramount.

Have you considered why there is so much fuss about emerald’s interaction with water? What’s the connection? 

Here is the answer.

The basic says the chemical composition of a stone determines how well it will hold up in the water. You must have noticed that some do pretty well in water, and some simply lose their appeal when put inside the water.

Knowing how your emerald will respond in water, you may take extra precautions with your precious gemstone jewelry when engaging in necessary and optional aquatic activities. But before we take you into this. Let’s know your emerald well.

So, What is an Emerald?

Talking about green stones’ names and emeralds doesn’t strike the mind; never heard, right? Taking its name from the Sanskrit word “marakata” (the green of growing things), emerald is a precious gem of the beryl family and possesses a hexagonal crystal structure. The stone gets its green hue from elements of chromium and vanadium. 

Let’s dive deep and explore emerald water connection and response. 

Can Emerald Go in Water?

Yes, emeralds can go in the water. But we still suggest you refrain from submerging it for long hours. Let’s understand it from two perspectives:

Structural Damage

Emeralds enjoy an impressive score on the Mohs hardness scale, which ranges between 7.5 to 8. This good score is well above the minimum value required for minerals to go underwater. So, ideally, you can take your emeralds underwater. However, like all gemstones, they should not be left in water for long because prolonged submersion can weaken their structure. 

Really? How?

When an emerald is submerged in water for a prolonged period, the fissures in the stone enlarge as water penetrates them. These cracks might not be evident at first, but they might gradually worsen over time, making the gemstone more brittle and occasionally leading to breaking.

Physical Damage

Water sometimes deteriorates the beauty of gemstones. For gemstones like emeralds, which are frequently treated with oils and waxes to cover up the inclusions and surface-reaching fissures, water could be highly detrimental as it can strip it of its polish or treatment, resulting in a dull appearance.

Water-induced fractures may alter the way light reflects inside the stone. This could impair the gem’s value by destroying its visual qualities.

Also See: Different Types of Emeralds

Emeralds and their Reaction to Various Types of Water

Can jewelry, our precious emeralds, in particular, withstand the same aquatic tests we do? It’s a mystery that needs to be solved. Let’s take an interesting dive into whether these sparkly pieces can brave watery adventures!

Can Emerald Go in Salt Water?

No, you should never submerge emeralds in salt water. Despite having a Mohs hardness rating of 7.5-8, which indicates that it is a somewhat durable gemstone, emeralds should not be placed in water for an extended period. The damage is only exacerbated when salt is added to the mixture.

Let us explain the science behind it.

When you put your stone in salt water, salt can go inside the cracks of gemstones. These particles might linger in this area even after the water has evaporated and widened the fissures, making the stone fragile.

Although emerald may be a hard stone resistant to scratching, it is still not robust (resistant to breaking/impact). This is because oil treatments cover the inclusions and surface fissures in emeralds. Hence, you should never use saltwater on emeralds.

Can Emeralds Go in Hot Water?

Keep emeralds out of hot water, as these precious stones may experience thermal shocks too. Hot water may leak into the fillers in treated emeralds, which may cause an issue in their structural and visual stability. If the emerald is exposed to heat, the crack can widen and make the emerald frail. So, there is a strict no to hot water.

Can Emeralds Go in Moon Water?

Moonwater has been an age-old technique to recharge horoscope gemstones, such as emeralds. Though, is moon water safe for your emerald is a legitimate concern.

Please go ahead, as emerald is a strong stone that can go in the water for a few hours. So, put your emerald in the bowl after it has been filled with new water. Leave it outside in the moonlight for some time and get a replenished stone. Do remember prolonged submersion can harm your emerald. 

How Does Water Impact Different Emerald Forms?

We believe what we see, but the world of gemstones has various forms and categories, which we generally do not see in our day-to-day jewelry interaction. The same is with emeralds. 

So, how do these varied forms interact with water? Let’s find out.

Can Raw Emerald Go in Water?

But first, you need to comprehend what a raw emerald is.

There are no enhancements, treatments, or polishes in a raw emerald. While emerald has a respectably high Mohs hardness rating, making it water-safe, it should still not be submerged in water for an extended period. Stone’s chances of getting any harm increase in the absence of polish and treatment. 

Can Emerald Crystals Go in Water?

Although briefly immersing your emerald crystals in water is usually okay, thanks to its respectable Mohs hardness score. However, doing so for an extended period may result in cracks or breaks in this green beauty.

Also See: Benefits and Side Effects of Emerald Stone

How Long Can Emeralds Go in the Water?

A good score on the Mohs hardness scale gives emeralds a good shield against water damage, but they should only go inside the water briefly. 

However, for cleaning purposes, you may soak your emerald accessories in lukewarm water for a few minutes. Ensure your water is not too hot so the jewel doesn’t fracture from the heat.

Can Emeralds be Cleansed without Water?

A brief submerging in water will not harm your emerald, but we have plenty to tell if you still want to opt for a different way of cleansing. 

• Place your emerald in gentle sunshine for an hour to lift its energy and allow the light to flood it with positive energy. 
• Singing bowls, smudging, and putting emeralds in the vicinity of geodes or other energy fuelling stones are safe ways to revitalize it.

Parting Thoughts

It might not be common knowledge, but many people unknowingly damage their emeralds simply because they don’t know enough about how these prettiest gemstones react to water. Well, luckily, this blog has you covered! 

With the right information in hand, you are now aware of how emeralds behave toward the water. Now that you know how durable emerald is, you’ll soon feel comfortable dipping in the water with your precious stones and watching them flourish even more!

So, when are you ready to make a splash with your emeralds? With proper maintenance and cleaning, you’ll be able to enjoy these stunning stones for many years to come.

Also See: Can Aquamarine Go in Water

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