Emerald
Green beryl coloured by chromium, mined since the pharaohs.
- Family
- Beryl
- Formula
- Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
- Mohs
- 7.5 to 8
- System
- Hexagonal
Drag to turn
Science
Emerald needs beryllium and chromium in the same place, elements that rarely meet in the crust, which is why deposits are few. Its inclusions are so characteristic they are called the jardin, the garden. Colombian stones form in black shale veins; African ones in schist, and tend to be bluer and cleaner.
- Mineral
- Beryl (variety)
- Formula
- Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5 to 8
- Specific gravity
- 2.72
- Refractive index
- 1.577 to 1.583
- Lustre
- Vitreous
- Colours
- Green, Bluish green
- Birthstone
- May
Composition
Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈. Made of Beryllium, Aluminium, Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Chromium, Vanadium responsible for colour.
Origin
- ColombiaMuzo, Chivor, Coscuez
- ZambiaKagem
- Brazil
- ZimbabweSandawana
- Ethiopia
- AfghanistanPanjshir
- EgyptCleopatra's mines, historic
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Clean emerald is rarer than clean diamond of the same size. Nearly all stones carry fissures and are oiled to hide them.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Emerald sits at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Heart
Element
- Earth
Zodiac
- Taurus
- Gemini
- Cancer
Planets
- Venus
- Mercury
Properties
- Love
- Loyalty
- Renewal
- Wisdom
- Patience
Lore
Egypt mined emerald from around 1500 BCE and Cleopatra claimed the mines as her own. Spanish conquistadors seized Colombian emeralds from the Muzo people and shipped them to Mughal India, where they were carved with prayers.
Nero is said to have watched gladiators through an emerald. The stone has always stood for spring, fertility and faithful love.
- TreatmentOiling with cedar oil or resin to fill fissures is standard and disclosed.
- CutThe rectangular step 'emerald cut' was designed to protect its corners.