gemstone
Emerald crystal in host rock
Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18 with Chromium/Vanadium impurities)
Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep green (forest green); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- Deep green (forest green)
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
Identified More gemstone →
Explore Emerald crystal in host rock in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep green (forest green); Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where beryllium-rich fluids interact with chromium-rich host rocks like schist or marble. Typical geological age ranges from 10 to 600 million years depending on the deposit.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in high-end jewelry as a gemstone and highly sought after by mineral collectors for natural crystal specimens.
Geological facts
Emeralds are one of the 'Big Three' colored gemstones. Unlike many minerals where inclusions lower value, certain inclusions in emeralds are referred to as 'jardin' (garden) and can prove natural origin.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic hexagonal prism shape and specific shade of green. Commonly found in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. In the field, look for green hexagonal prisms embedded in white calcite or dark mica schist.
More like this
Other gemstone specimens
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Cubic Zirconia (or possibly Diamond)
Zirconium dioxide (or Carbon)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Faceted Gemstone
Unknown transparent mineral, possibly Diamond (C), Cubic Zirconia (ZrO2), Quartz (SiO2), or Glass
gemstone
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral