Emerald
What is Emerald?
Emerald is a green variety of beryl that is colored by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. It’s primarily found in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Emerald has been used for centuries as a gemstone and is a popular choice for jewelry due to its vibrant green color and spiritual significance.
Emerald is a green gemstone that belongs to the beryl family. Its vibrant color and lustrous appearance make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items. The stone is often used in rings, necklaces, and pendants, and is sometimes used to make beads.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Beryl) |
| Color | Ranges from light green to a deep, rich green. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous. |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque, depending on the quality and inclusions. |
| Occurrence | Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. |
| Formation | Typically found in metamorphic rocks, especially mica schist and shale. |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 7.5-8. |
| Specific Gravity | Approximately 2.70 to 2.78. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Green color, a variety of beryl. |
| Chemical Composition | Be3Al2(SiO3)6 |
| Pleochroism | Dichroic, typically green to bluish-green. |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal (variety of Beryl) |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive Index | 1.577 - 1.583 |
| Birefringence | 0.006 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 58° to 63° |
| Dispersion | 0.014. |