What is Emerald?

Emerald is a green gemstone in the Beryl group. The colour ranges from light to dark green and can be transparent or translucent. The Emerald is predominately found in Columbia, Brazil, India, and South Africa. It is considered one of the most valuable gemstones and the most precious stone in the Beryl group.

The Greek word ‘Smaragdos’ means ‘green stone’ and is the derivative of the word Emerald.

Emeralds are formed by rising magma and are mined from rock where the Emerald has grown into the cavities. The colour varies according to the site of the mine – e.g.

•    Columbian Muzo mine produces deep green Emeralds
•    Brazilian mines produce yellow green stones, often without inclusions

Several well known and particularly large Emeralds are housed the Natural History Museum in London, American Museum of Natural History in New York, in the Persian Crown jewels and in the Viennese treasury which shows a jug weighing 2205ct cut from a single Emerald crystal.