Emerald


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Emerald (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) is a variety of the mineral beryl, colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.[1] It is highly prized as a gemstone and by weight is the most valuable gemstone in the world, although it is often made less so by inclusions, which all emeralds have to some degree. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of hardness.[2] However, the effective hardness of an emerald is often reduced by fractures and inclusions. Most emeralds are highly included, so the toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor.

The emerald is the green variety of the beryl family and is very highly prized. Because emeralds are usually flawed, visible flaws in emeralds are the norm rather than the exception. Many emerald lovers refer to the internal collection of liquid or gas bubbles, healing cracks and foreign crystals as the "garden". The emerald symbolizes the beauty in nature, goodness, faith, and kindness, and so long ago was dedicated to the goddess Venus. The history of the emerald's beauty has been told in legend and story since ancient man. Pliny the Elder, a Roman Scholar, told of the emerald's beauty and pleasing qualities to the eye. His records told of looking upon an emerald to refresh wearied eyes.

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