mineral

Emerald

Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18 with Chromium/Vanadium impurities)

Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Vivid green to bluish green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.67-2.78

Hardness: 7
Color: Vivid green to bluish green
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7.5-8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Vivid green to bluish green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Hexagonal; Cleavage: Poor/Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.67-2.78

Formation & geological history

Commonly forms in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where beryllium-rich fluids interact with chromium or vanadium-rich rocks (metamorphic or igneous contact zones). Major deposits range from 30 million to over 500 million years old.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a high-value gemstone in fine jewelry. Low-quality specimens are kept as mineral collector samples.

Geological facts

The rich green color is caused by trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium. Emeralds are famous for having internal inclusions often called 'jardin' (French for garden), which can sometimes help prove a stone is natural.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic green color and hexagonal prism habit in raw form. Major sources include Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Unlike many other gems, visible inclusions are tolerated and even expected in natural emeralds.

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