gemstone

Rough Emerald

Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18 with Chromium/Vanadium impurities)

Hardness: 7.5-8.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Green to bluish-green, Luster: Vitreous (glass-like) when fresh, Crystal System: Hexagonal, Cleavage: Imperfect/basal, Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78.

Hardness: 7

Identified July 21, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7.5-8.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Green to bluish-green, Luster: Vitreous (glass-like) when fresh, Crystal System: Hexagonal, Cleavage: Imperfect/basal, Specific Gravity: 2.67-2.78.

Formation & geological history

Formation usually occurs in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites where beryllium-rich fluids interact with chromium-bearing host rocks. Often associated with schist or carbonaceous limestone.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in high-end jewelry as a gemstone. Lesser quality specimens are popular among mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Emeralds are often more fragile than other beryls due to inclusions (internal fractures), which are poetically called the 'jardin' or garden of the stone. Green color is primarily caused by trace amounts of chromium.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinct green color, hexagonal crystal shape if preserved, and Mohs hardness. Found in locations like Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, and Ethiopia. Search for green crystals in micaceous schist or quartz veins.

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