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Emerald

Big Photo

Colombia
37.8 carats
© R. Simonoff

The name emerald derives from Greek "smaragdos" - green stone. It is the most precious stone in the beryl group. Its green is incomparable, and is therefore called "emerald green".
14 photos

Emerald Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 

Emerald Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Emerald gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.26 cts
Heaviest:37.8 cts
Average:4.65 cts
Total photos:14
Do you have a larger Emerald? Why not upload a photo?
Significant stones
Mogul Emerald218 cts
Hooker emerald75 cts
0.26ct to 4.01ct4.01ct to 7.77ct7.77ct to 11.52ct11.52ct to 15.28ct15.28ct to 19.03ct19.03ct to 22.78ct22.78ct to 26.54ct26.54ct to 30.29ct30.29ct to 34.05ct34.05ct to 37.80ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Beryl
Chemical Formula
Al
 
2
Be
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
18
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Significant stones
ImageNameWeightCountry of OriginCurrent Owner
Mogul Emerald217.80 ctsColombiaUnidentified Private Owner
Hooker emerald75.47 ctsColombia
Chalk Emerald37.80 ctsColombiaSmithsonian Institution
Duke of Devonshire EmeraldColombiaChatsworth House
Emerald Treatments
Beware of coated beryl: look for peeled coating (surface-reflecting light) - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Emerald Simulants
Glass with groups of gas bubbles creating "fingerprints" - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Synthetic Emerald
Synthetic emerald (flux grown) - Colour - green; transparent; Hardness 7.5 - 8; RI 1.553 - 1.580; Birefringence 0.003 - 0.008; Hexagonal; Uniaxial/+; SG 2.63 - 2.69; Inclusions: flux residues, wisp-like flux "feathers" and "veils", phenakite.
Synthetic emerald - Colour - green; RI 1.563 - 1.585; Birefringence 0.004 - 0.008; SG 2.66 - 2.72; Inclusions: inhomogeneous growth structure (swirl-like or chevron pattern), phenakite crystals, phenakite nails, iron oxide residues.
Synthetic emerald (hydrothermal synthetic emerald overgrowth on colourless beryl) - Colour - green; RI 1.565 - 1.620; Birefringence 0.005 - 0.010; SG 2.66 - 2.71; Inclusions: characteristic pattern of cracks, patchy colour zoning (lighter and darker facets) - Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables German Gemmological Association, 2004, p 10
Physical Properties of Emerald
Mohs Hardness7.5 to 8
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Specific Gravity2.65 to 2.78
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Cleavage QualityIndistinct
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical Properties of Emerald
Refractive Index1.564 to 1.604
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Birefringence0.006 to 0.010
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
PleochroismGreen - yellowish-green, bluish-green, blue-green
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Dispersion0.014
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Emerald green, green, slightly yellowish-green
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Colour (Chelsea Filter)Pinkish to "wine red", depending on chromium content (may remain greenish).
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Colombia: wine red (chromium rich); Brazil: green to dark red; Zambia: green to red; Zimbabwe: weak reddish common; Afghanistan/Pakistan: commonly pinkish to "wine red"; India: usually dark green; Australia: brownish, greenish or pinkish; Ural: dark red common
Causes of ColourGreen, Cr3+ and/or V3+ in octahedral coordination.
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Usually inert
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Emerald
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
HabitHexagonal prisms
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Geological Environment
Where found:Emeralds are formed by hydrothermal processes associated with magma and also by metamorphism. Deposits are found in biotite schists, clay shales, in limestones, with pegmatites. Mining is nearly from host rock, where the emerald has grown into small veins or on walls of cavities. Alluvial placers are very unlikely to come about as the density of emerald is near that of quartz. Therefore, rare secondary deposits are mostly formed by weathering.
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Spectrographic Data
Calculated Spectra:
Click spectra for more information
Emerald - Locality: Synthetic
Inclusions in Emerald
Emeralds without inclusions are rare and should be considered as highly suspicious. Colombia: 3 phase inclusions (sometimes jagged), pyrite (Chivor), calcite (Muzo), albite crystals. Brazil: tube-like 2 phase inclusions, black chromite and dolomite crystals, mica platelets. Zambia: rectangular shaped multi-phase inclusions, dot-like whitish to brown biotite platelets. Zimbabwe: long, straight and curved amphibole (tremolite) needles. Afghanistan/Pakistan: 2-3 phase inclusions, black chromite inclusions. India: rectangular 2 phase inclusions with "comma" shaped corner. Australia: 2-(3) phase tube-like inclusions parallel to optical axis. 2-(3)-phase secondary healed fractures, tremolite rods, colorless to brown biotite, cassiterite and other guest crystals. Ural: actinolite (tremolite) crystals in "bamboo cane" pattern. Thin liquid films (reflected light). Mica flakes. Madagascar: thin elongated growth tubes, elongated quartz crystals, isometric 2 phase negative crystals, thin films of liquid inclusions - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Further Information
Mineral information:Emerald information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Badakhshan
    • Khash District
Schwarz and Giuliani (2002c); Kalukiewicz (2005)
  • Kunar
    • Narang District
  • Laghman
    • Alishing District
Laurs (2001)
  • Nuristan
    • Nurgaram District
Laurs (2001)
Laurs (2001)
  • Panjshir
    • Khenj District
Bowersox et al. (1991), Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995)
Bowersox et al. (1991), Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995)
Sachanbinski et al. (2003), Fijal et al. (2004), Pardieu and Soubiraa (2006a)
Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110
Bowersox et al. (1991), Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995)
Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110
Australia
 
  • New South Wales
    • Clive Co.
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 26
  • Western Australia
    • Cue Shire
      • Poona
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 26
    • Menzies Shire
      • Riverina Station
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 26
    • Port Hedland Shire
      • Abydos Station
        • Wodgina
Wilson (1995), Henry (2005), Sutherland (2006)
Austria
 
  • Salzburg
    • Zell am See District
      • Bramberg am Wildkogel
        • Nasenkopf mountain
          • Leckbachgraben
A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
Couto (2000)
    • Brumado
      • Serra das Éguas
Schwarz et al. (1990), Couto (2000)
    • Campo Formoso
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
    • Pilão Arcado
Couto (2000)
    • Pindobaçu
Couto (2000)
  • Ceará
    • Tauá
Schwarz et al. (1990), Couto (2000)
  • Goiás
    • Pirenópolis
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
    • Santa Terezinha de Goiás district
      • Campos Verdes
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
  • Minas Gerais
    • Ipatinga
      • Antônio Dias
        • Hematita
Kanis (2001, 2002); Levinson et al. (2001)
    • Itabira
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 35
Kanis (2001, 2002); Levinson et al. (2001); Mossman (2001); Preinfalk et al. (2002); Rondeau et al. (2003)
    • Nova Era
Kanis (2001, 2002); Levinson et al. (2001); Mossman (2001); Preinfalk et al. (2002); Rondeau et al. (2003)
Kanis (2001, 2002); Levinson et al. (2001); Mossman (2001); Preinfalk et al. (2002); Rondeau et al. (2003)
  • Rio Grande do Norte
Miisenda (2007)
  • Tocantins
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 35
Canada
 
  • Northwest Territories
    • Mackenzie Mountains
      • Tungsten
Marshall et al. (2004), Groat et al. (2008)
  • Ontario
    • Kenora District
      • Brownridge Township
Groat, L.A., Giuliani, G., Marshall, D.D., and Turner, D. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 87-112.
Marshall et al. (2004), Groat et al. (2008)
  • Yukon
    • Watson Lake mining district
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 33
China
 
  • Xinjiang
    • Kashi Prefecture (Kashgar Prefecture; Qeshqer Prefecture)
      • Tashiku'ergan Co. (Taxkorgan Co.; Tashqurqan Co.)
Blauwet et al. (2006), Michelou and Pardieu (2009), Schwarz and Pardieu (2009)
  • Yunnan
    • Wenshan
      • Malipo County
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 26
Colombia
 
  • Boyacá Department
    • Chivor Municipality
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp36-45
    • Maripí Municipality
      • La Pita
Johnson et al. (2000), Michelou (2001, 2005, 2006), Boehm (2002), Fritsch et al. (2002), Vuillet et al. (2002), Campos-Alvarez and Roser (2007)
Johnson et al. (2000), Michelou (2001, 2005, 2006), Boehm (2002), Fritsch et al. (2002), Vuillet et al. (2002), Campos-Alvarez and Roser (2007)
    • Western Boyacá Province
      • Muzo Municipality
Banks, D.A., Giuliani, G., Yardley, B.W.D., and Cheilletz, A. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35, 699-713.
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp36-45
Min.Rec.:20(5):394.
Banks, D.A., Giuliani, G., Yardley, B.W.D., and Cheilletz, A. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35, 699-713.
Banks, D.A., Giuliani, G., Yardley, B.W.D., and Cheilletz, A. (2000): Mineralium Deposita 35, 699-713.
      • Otanche Municipality
        • La Glorieta
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 33
      • San Pablo de Borbur Municipality
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 33
  • Cundinamarca Department
    • Guavió-Guatéque mining district
Giuliani et al. (1990,1995,2000), Bosshart (1991), Schwarz (1991,1992) Branquet et al. (1999)
      • Ubalá Municipality
Giuliani et al. (1990,1995,2000), Bosshart (1991), Schwarz (1991,1992) Branquet et al. (1999)
Egypt
 
  • Red Sea Governorate
    • Sikait-Zabara region
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
India
 
  • Rajasthan
    • Ajmer District
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p.25
  • Tamil Nadu
    • Salem District
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 26
Italy
 
  • Piedmont
    • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
      • Trontano
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 29
Madagascar
 
  • Atsimo-Andrefana
    • Benenitra
      • Ianapera
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp 52-59
  • Vatovavy Fitovinany
    • Mananjary
      • Ambalahosy Nord
Henn and Milisenda (2001)
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
      • Andonabe
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
      • Antsenavolo
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
Mozambique
 
  • Zambezia Province
    • Gilé District
      • Gilé
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
Bettencourt-Dias and Wilson (2000)
      • Uape
Schappmann (2005)
Namibia
 
  • Hardap Region
    • Daweb
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
Nigeria
 
  • Kaduna
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
    • Sanga
      • Nandu Village
Vapnik and Moroz (2000)
  • Nasarawa
Michelou (2007)
Norway
 
  • Viken
    • Eidsvoll
      • Minnesund
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 30
Pakistan
 
  • Gilgit-Baltistan
    • Gilgit District
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 24
    • Shigar District
      • Basha Valley
Hammer (2004)
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
    • Lower Dir District
Arif et al. (1996), Aboosally (1999)
    • Shangla District
Arif et al. (1996), Aboosally (1999)
    • Swat District
Arif et al. (1996), Aboosally (1999)
Econ Geol (1986) 81:2022-2028
Econ Geol (1986) 81:2022-2028
Econ Geol (1986) 81:2022-2028
Econ Geol (1986) 81:2022-2028
Russia
 
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Malyshevo
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9434094.pdf; Dan Weinrich
Dan Weinrich
Somaliland
 
  • Awdal
    • Borama District
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 29
South Africa
 
  • Limpopo
    • Mopani District Municipality
      • Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality
        • Murchison Range
          • Gravelotte
            • Gravelotte Emerald Mine
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 28
Spain
 
  • Galicia
    • Pontevedra
      • A Cañiza
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 30
Tanzania
 
  • Arusha Region
    • Lake Manyara
Bank (1986) Emerald deposits in Africa, Goldschmiede und Uhrmacher Zeitung, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 161-163
  • Manyara Region
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp52-59
  • Rukwa Region
    • Sumbawanga District
Dirlam et al. (1992)
USA
 
  • North Carolina
    • Alexander County
      • Hiddenite
Rocks & Min.:60:84.
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 33
    • Mitchell County
      • Spruce Pine
Rocks & Min.:60:92.
Zambia
 
  • Copperbelt Province
    • Lufwanyama District
      • Kafubu emerald mining district
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp52-59
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 29
Milisenda C.C., Malango V., Taupitz K.C. (1999) Edelsteine aus Sambia - Teil 1: Smaragd. Gem: Z. Dt. Gemmol. Ges., Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 9-28
    • Ndola District
Zimbabwe
 
  • Mashonaland West
Kanis and Schwarz (2002)
  • Masvingo
    • Gutu District
Zwaan and Touret (2000); Zwaan et al. (2004); Zwaan (2006)
    • Masvingo District
Zwaan and Touret (2000); Zwaan et al. (2004); Zwaan (2006)
Zwaan and Touret (2000); Zwaan et al. (2004); Zwaan (2006)
  • Matabeleland South
    • Mweza Range (Wedja)
      • Sandawana-Belingwe District
Emeralds of the World - extraLapis English No.2 (2002) p. 29
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