Why Collectors are Paying a Fortune for Unoiled Emeralds ?

If you’ve ever wondered why some emeralds come with eye-watering price tags, the secret might be in a single word: unoiled.

In the gem world, oiling is a common (and long-accepted) treatment used to fill surface-reaching fissures and improve clarity. But when an emerald is unoiled—completely free of oil or resin—it instantly enters a new category: investment-grade.

Here’s why collectors and investors are willing to shell out serious cash for these untreated beauties.

What Makes Unoiled Emeralds So Valuable?

1. They're incredibly rare
Only around 5% of gem-quality emeralds are totally unoiled. That’s right—most emeralds you see, even in high-end jewelry, have been enhanced. The sheer scarcity of untreated emeralds drives their value through the roof.

2. Untouched by human hands
Unoiled emeralds are straight from the earth—no fillers, no enhancements. For gem purists, this natural integrity is priceless. You're holding a piece of Earth that hasn’t been altered in any way.

3. Long-term stability
Oils and resins can degrade over time—yellowing, drying out, or even leaking from the gem. Unoiled stones don’t have this issue. What you see is what you’ll always have.

4. They’re investment gold
In terms of resale, unoiled emeralds appreciate better and appeal to a broader market. Collectors, auction houses, and private buyers consistently show strong interest in untreated stones.

But There Are a Few Trade-Offs

1. You’ll pay a premium
Expect to pay 2–3 times more for an unoiled emerald compared to a treated one of similar quality. That’s the price of purity.

2. They’re a little more delicate
Without oils to cushion internal fractures, unoiled emeralds can be more prone to breakage. You’ll need to treat them with extra care.

3. Fewer choices—especially for large stones
Large, high-quality unoiled emeralds are very limited in supply. Finding one over 1 carat that ticks all the boxes (colour, clarity, cut) can be a serious challenge.

Should You Only Buy Unoiled?

Not necessarily. A beautifully coloured, lightly oiled emerald can still be an exceptional investment. In fact, some lightly treated emeralds are cleaner and more visually stunning than untreated ones with poor colour or clarity.

At the end of the day, quality always wins—whether it’s oiled or unoiled. But if you’re after long-term value, market rarity, and geological purity, unoiled emeralds might just be worth the splurge.