mineral
Rough Emerald/Green Beryl
Beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) with trace amounts of Chromium or Vanadium
Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs scale; Color: Deep green to bluish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to resinous when rough; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- Deep green to bluish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy) to resinous when rough
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs scale; Color: Deep green to bluish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to resinous when rough; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78
Formation & geological history
Formed in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins where beryllium is present. They are often found in metamorphic rocks like schists. Commercial deposits range from Carboniferous to Cretaceous in age depending on the deposit (e.g., Colombian mines).
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry. Lower-quality, opaque, or heavily fractured specimens like these are used as mineral specimens for collectors or occasionally for lower-end beads and carvings.
Geological facts
Emeralds are the most famous variety of the mineral Beryl. Unlike most other gems, inclusions in emeralds are often tolerated and referred to as a 'jardin' (French for garden) because they prove the stone is natural.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive 'emerald green' hue and high hardness. In the field, look for hexagonal crystal prisms embedded in a lighter host rock like quartz or mica schist. Major deposits are found in Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Ethiopia.
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