Emeralds are a green shade of beryllium aluminum Silicate. These stones are hard with well defined crystal features that, when polished and cut are known the worldwide for their brilliance and clarity. From ancient Egypt and the reign of Cleopatra to the empires of the Inca and the Aztec, these stones have captured the imagination of collectors, jewelry buyers and anyone who appreciates the natural beauty of gemstones. Cleopatra is said to have seized the emerald mines and forced slaves to mine the stones for her pleasure and to give as impressive gifts and these stones have even been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians royals. These beautiful stones can be found throughout the world, including areas of the Middle East, Africa and Russia. Today emeralds are mined principally in Columbia where some of the highest gem-quality stones are said to be found.

Gemstone buyers must beware of fake or synthetic stones which may be made from substances like cubic zirconia or even plain glass. Natural stones have imperfections where imitation stones may appear to be just a little too perfect.

Birthstone Information

This brilliant stone is used to represent the month of May. Spring is the time year when nature comes back to life after the harshness of winter and emerald is said to reflect the green of spring grasses. Astrological signs associated with this stone include Aries, Gemini and Taurus.

New Age Beliefs & Powers Through The Ages

For some six thousand years, emerald has represented a powerful force capable of protecting the bearer from a myriad of dangers to the point where the stone was once thought to impart immortality. As with many other crystal stones, emerald is said to enhance greatly intellectual abilities and improve ones general health and wellbeing. The stone is thought to have the ability to cure a number of physical maladies, including blindness and seizures. Many admirers of emerald believe that this stone can impart great feelings of love and inner peace to the bearer and is thought to make an appropriate gift on occasions such as anniversaries or as signs of friendship, love and respect.

General Scientific Information

Like many types of crystal rock, emerald is found in metamorphic rock structures and takes a very long time to grow. Though it is a hard crystal, its structure makes it more susceptible to cracking or breaking if struck so care must taken when wearing it as jewelry, having the stone cleaned or when having it re-oiled. As with many gemstones, there are artificial forms of enhancing the color and overall appearance including the practice of oiling the stones to diminish the affect of surface imperfections. It is also thought the practice of oiling can enhance the color of the stones. The color of these stones varies between different shades and depths of green and can be affected by varying levels of iron content.

The chemical name Be3Al2(SiO3)6 otherwise known as Beryllium Aluminium Silicate.

Hardness measures between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Mohs scale - the Mohs scale measures the hardness of metals, minerals, gemstones and crystals on a scale of 1 to 10. For example the hardness properties of most quartz crystals fall around 7 on the scale, as does steel and titanium. Diamond is the hardest known substance on the Mohs scale coming in at a hard 10. To most consumers hardness generally reflects the stones able to resist scratches and cracks.

There is no cleavage.

Birefringence ranges between 0.005 and 0.009.

The index of refraction is 1.560 - 1.565 to 1.587 to 1.593

The specific gravity is 2.65 to 2.76.

The crystalline system is hexagonal.

The optic sign is negative.