Emerald Oiling & Re-Oiling Service
Emerald oiling and re-oiling service
Emeralds have been oiled for centuries. Nearly every natural emerald reaches the surface with fine fissures, and a colourless oil is worked into those fissures to improve the stone's apparent clarity. It is the standard, long-accepted way emeralds are cared for. At Skyjems we carry out this work in-house using natural cedar wood oil — the traditional choice, with a refractive index close to emerald itself.
Oiling is not permanent. Heat, solvents, ultrasonic cleaning, and simply the passage of time can gradually deplete the oil, which is why a periodic re-oil is a normal part of owning an emerald. We offer two services, depending on what your stone needs.
Our two services
Refresher (re-oil)
A straightforward re-oil. We clean the stone and work fresh cedar wood oil into the existing fissures. No previous filler is removed.
- Price: $30 per carat (minimum $300)
- Turnaround: 5 to 10 business days
Full retreatment
For a stone that has been over-treated or poorly treated by a previous jeweller. We remove the previous filler, then re-treat the emerald with cedar wood oil from a clean starting point.
- Price: $60 per carat (minimum $600)
- Turnaround: 10 to 20 business days
Which do I need?
Most emeralds only need a Refresher, and that is where we would start. A Full retreatment is only necessary when a prior treatment has been done badly and the old filler must be stripped out before re-oiling. If you are not sure which your stone needs, bring it in and we will tell you honestly which service suits it.
How it works
- Bring it in or ship it. Drop your emerald off at our Toronto showroom by appointment, or ship it to us.
- We assess the stone. We examine the emerald, confirm which service it needs, and give you the price and turnaround before any work begins.
- We carry out the work in-house using natural cedar wood oil, then return the stone to you.
Please note: oiling improves an emerald's apparent clarity and appearance. It does not change the stone's grade.
Book a consultation
To have your emerald assessed and oiled, book a consultation or call us on 416-366-3335. Skyjems is a family gemstone house in Toronto, founded in 1967. Our showroom is open by appointment Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12–6pm ET.