mineral

Rough Emerald

Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18 with Chromium/Vanadium impurities)

Hardness: 7.5-8 on Mohs scale; Color: Vivid green to bluish green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78

Hardness: 7
Color: Vivid green to bluish green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7.5-8 on Mohs scale; Color: Vivid green to bluish green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where beryllium-rich fluids meet chromium or vanadium-bearing rocks. Most emeralds are found in metamorphic or sedimentary environments depending on the host rock, with many specimens being millions of years old (up to 2 billion years in some African deposits).

Uses & applications

Primary use is in the jewelry industry as a precious gemstone. Lower quality specimens are used for mineral collecting, lapidary practice, and metaphysical purposes.

Geological facts

Emerald is the birthstone for May. Unlike most other gems, inclusions (called 'jardin' or garden) are often tolerated and can even prove the stone's authenticity. Historically, Cleopatra was famous for her love of emeralds and owned active mines in Egypt.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct green color and hexagonal prismatic crystal shape. Commonly found in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, and Ethiopia. For collectors, look for the 'silk' within the stone and a characteristic hexagonal cross-section in raw specimens.

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