mineral

Emerald (Tumbled Beryl)

Beryllium Aluminum Silicate (Be3Al2Si6O18) with Chromium/Vanadium impurities

Hardness: 7.5 to 8.0 on Mohs scale. Color: Vivid green to bluish green. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal. Specific Gravity: 2.67 to 2.78.

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

Identified April 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7.5 to 8.0 on Mohs scale. Color: Vivid green to bluish green. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal. Specific Gravity: 2.67 to 2.78.

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where beryllium-rich fluids interact with chromium or vanadium-bearing rocks. Most are found in metamorphic environments and range in age from hundreds of millions to billions of years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a precious gemstone in high-end jewelry. Also a popular specimen for mineral collectors. Some lower-quality emeralds are used for industrial purposes.

Geological facts

Emeralds are the birthstone for May. Unlike most other gems, internal fractures and liquid inclusions (called 'jardin' or garden) are expected and can even help prove the stone is natural.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic green color and hexagonal prism growth habit (when not tumbled). It is often found in schist or marble host rocks. Major mining locations include Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia.

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