About Emerald
Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl, which is composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. The green color in emeralds comes from trace amounts of chromium, vanadium, or iron. The intensity of the green color in emeralds depends on the amount and type of trace elements present.
The history of emerald gemstone dates back thousands of years. The first known emerald mines were located in Upper Egypt, near the Red Sea, and were in use as early as 2000 BC. The ancient Egyptians were known to have valued the stone greatly, and it was often used in their jewelry and burial rites.
The Greeks and Romans also valued emeralds, and the latter even believed that the gemstone could cure various ailments and ward off evil spirits. The Spanish conquistadors brought emeralds back to Europe from South America in the 16th century, and the gemstone quickly became popular among European royalty and aristocracy.
During the Art Deco period in the 1920s and 1930s, emeralds experienced a resurgence in popularity. They were often paired with diamonds and other precious stones in intricate, geometric designs.
Today, emeralds continue to be prized for their deep green color and rarity. The most valuable emeralds are found in Colombia, although they are also found in other parts of the world, including Zambia, Brazil, and Afghanistan. The value of an emerald depends on its color, clarity, size, and overall quality, with the most valuable emeralds exhibiting a deep, vivid green color and few inclusions.
Chemical Formula: Be3Al2Si6O18
Hardness: 7.5 - 8 Mohs
Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78
Refractive Index: 1.565-1.602
