Glittering Stones >> Precious Stones >> Emerald

Precious Stone Emerald

Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl. Other gemstone color variety that normally belongs to beryl includes aquamarine, Morganite, and heliodor. Other colors of beryl are simply referred as to by their color, such as red beryl.

The wonderful green color of emerald is unparalleled in the gem history. Emerald's precious green color is caused by its small amounts of chromium and enhanced by traces of iron. Unlike other beryl’s, emeralds are often contain inclusions and other flaws. These flaws are not looked on as negative aspects for emerald like that they would be for other gemstones. Indeed, these flaws are considered as part of its character of the stone and are used to assure the purchaser of a natural stone.

Historical Facts of Emerald

Refractive Index: 1.577(+-.016), 1.583 (+-.017)

Chemical Composition: Be3Al2(SiO3)6

Crystal Group: Hexagonal

Hardness: 7.5-8

Density: 2.72 (-.05, +.12)

Sign of the Zodiac: Taurus

Month of the year: May

Color information: Blue, Green Blue

Occurence: Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, East Africa, Madagascar, India, Columbia

Precious Emerald Jewelry