Green Beryl

Emeralds – The Best Know Gemstone of the Beryl Group

Natural Beryl - Emerald

The best known gemstone of the beryl group, the stunning green Emerald color is caused by the trace elements of Chromium and Vanadium. In its pure from, Beryl is colorless. A trace of iron can turn the Beryl into an Aquamarine, whereas a bit of Manganese adds a pink color to the stone. Of all the Beryls, Emeralds are the most highly valued and have the longest history. Egyptians used Emeralds as early as 3500 BC, however most of them were pale, drab, and heavily included. It wasn’t until the 1500’s , when the Spanish came to the Americas, that Europeans discovered how beautiful Emeralds could be and vast quantities of Emeralds were brought to Europe by the conquistadors.

The name “Emerald” derives from the word smargus, which means “green gemstone” in Ancient Greek. Emeralds are seldom clear, but contain a miniature world of inclusions characteristic of certain minerals or patterns can be used find out the country of origin and also the mine that produced the gemstone. Emeralds are commonly oiled with polymers and epoxies to fill cracks and inclusions and enhance the color and appearance of the gemstone. This is considered an acceptable trade practice as long as it is disclosed to the buyer. Some fillers are more stable than others, but it’s usually not possible for salespeople to know exactly what an emerald has been filled with. Most Emeralds should be re-oiled every few years to preserve their color and should not be cleaned using ultrasonic cleaners.

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The definition of “Emerald” varies depending on the user. Typically, at gem shows and retail stores, most Beryl that looks more or less green is typically labeled as an Emerald. However, most gem dealers feel that light green stones should be referred to as “Green Beryl” and only the darker green stones should be called “Emerald.” American gemologists feel that Beryl colored by Vandadium can be classified as an Emerald, but European mineralogists tend to believe that true Emeralds must be colored by Chromium.

In reference to pricing, the definition of “Emerald” is irrelevant. If a one-carat Beryl has a saturated green color and is transparent and eye-clean, it can be worth over $6,000 retail. Transparency is everything. If a Beryl is light green and has poor transparency, it usually isn’t worth much, no matter how it’s labeled. Low-grade Emeralds or Beryl can sell for a little as $10 per carat, and can be flawed with inclusions and cracks, especially if it has a deep green color. Nevertheless, clarity and transparency play a major role in Emerald pricing.

Almost as much as 50 percent of the world’s Emeralds are mined in Columbia, with the mines of Chivor, Muzo, and Coscuez producing the bulk. Other Emerald sources include northern Zambia, Bahaia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and North Carolina in the US.