History of Emerald Gemstones
During the French Medieval period, emerald was called emeraude. The old Latin for emerald is esmeraldus or smaragdus in Latin. And in Greek Emerald is smaragdos which literally means “green gem” or “to shine” in the Semitic language. The name emerald is very much recognized by its bright green color. It is being used mainly as a gemstone within gemstone jewelry. The emerald ranks as one of the most highly prized varieties of precious stones. For centuries, this precious stone was known not only because of its beauty and elegance but also because of the belief that it has the apparent ability to cure diseases and some illness of the eye.
Emerald Pendant
Physical Properties of Emerald Gemstones.
Emerald Ring
The emerald is an unsurpassed formation of the mineral compound beryllium aluminum silicate, commonly called as beryl. Emerald is green due to the presence of chromium. The emerald has a relative density of 2.5 to 3.0 and having a hardness of 8.0 on the Mohs scale. It is for the most part impossible to tell apart from the other types and varieties of beryl in structure, components, and properties, but does eventually take in and comprise adequate chromium to divulge and convey a bright green color. Sometimes, emeralds are capable of holding a particular amount of featherlike matter, which is termed and every so often called “silk”. “Silk” which particularly brings out the emerald’s moss-covered or a mossy appearance. It is difficult to find high quality emerald stones. Most emeralds in the market contain flaws or inclusions - flawless emeralds are rare and very expensive. Inclusions, fissures, or bubbles make the emerald more brittle and difficult to cut. This can affect the emerald’s color - as most gemstone are cut to enhance their color.. Emeralds, including rubies, sapphires, amethysts and other related gemstones are doubly refracting - meaning they refract light in two different patterns. This is measured by a gemologists with an instrument called a refractometer. Gemstone with fewer imperfection tend to have a higher refractor index and tend to be higher prices, some are even priced higher than a diamond of the equivalent weight. Emeralds, together with diamonds, rubies and sapphires are generally the most sort after when is came’s to gemstone beauty - and monetary values. Scientists and gemologists, although, can also produce emeralds in laboratories, making it difficult at times to determine the difference between a ‘real’ and synthetics emeralds. Make sure that when buying any emerald that is has an accompanying certificate Emeralds occur naturally in many countries. In ancient times, emeralds were mined principally in Egypt. Today most emerald are mine in Siberia and eastern part of Russia. The biggest emeralds have been found in Colombia and north eastern part of the South American continent.

 

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Emerald - Main Characteristics

Emerald Gemstone Ring
Category Mineral
Chemical formula SiO2
Composition Silicon Dioxide.
Crystal Habit Prismatic crystals.
Color/Spectrum Amber yellow.
Atomic (Crystal )Structure Octagon.
Index of Refraction 1.54-1.55
Density (Relative) 2.67
Luster Vitreous to Resinous
Hardness (Mohs Scale) 7
Uses Jewelry.
  * adapted from Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann
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