Emerald

Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl and one of the four traditional "precious" gemstones, alongside diamond, ruby and sapphire. Its colour comes from small amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium, and ranges from light green to deep, slightly bluish green. The most valued emeralds are a rich, vivid green with good transparency.

Almost all emeralds contain inclusions, such as tiny fractures, crystals and liquid-filled cavities. These are so typical that they are accepted as part of the stone's character and are known as the "jardin", French for garden, because of their mossy appearance. To improve clarity, most emeralds are treated with oil or resin that fills surface-reaching fissures; this is a standard, accepted practice but should always be disclosed.

The name comes from the Greek "smaragdos", meaning green gem. Emeralds were mined in Egypt from around 1500 BC, and Cleopatra is famous for her love of them. After the Spanish conquest of South America in the 16th century, vast quantities of fine Colombian emeralds reached Europe, India and the Ottoman and Mughal empires, where they were carved and set into spectacular jewels. Colombia remains the most famous source, with Zambia and Brazil also major producers.

Synthetic emeralds have been grown in laboratories since the mid-20th century and have the same properties as natural stones. Imitations include green glass and doublets. Emerald beads are usually lower-grade, opaque or translucent material, while transparent stones are faceted or cut as cabochons.

Emerald at a glance

Caring for emerald

Although emerald is hard (7.5 – 8 on the Mohs scale), it is brittle and usually contains fractures, so it can chip or crack with a sharp blow. Clean it gently with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, hot water or solvents, as these can remove the oil or resin filling and make fractures more visible. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Store separately from other gems in a soft pouch.

In folklore

The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.

In ancient times emerald was a symbol of rebirth, spring and fertility, and was associated with the goddess Venus. It was believed to reveal the truth or falsehood of a lover's promises, to protect against evil spells and to give the wearer the ability to foresee the future when placed under the tongue. Roman writer Pliny the Elder noted that looking at green emerald rested the eyes, and Emperor Nero is said to have watched gladiator fights through an emerald. Emerald is the birthstone for May, and the gift for 20th and 55th wedding anniversaries. It is associated with the zodiac signs Taurus and Cancer.

Emerald is traditionally regarded as a stone of love, harmony and renewal. Crystal healing lore holds that it encourages loyalty, compassion and partnership, brings emotional balance and wisdom, and helps the wearer recover from difficult times. It was also historically believed to soothe and strengthen the eyes. It is linked to the heart chakra.

Related stones

Other varieties of beryl: aquamarine (blue), morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow), goshenite (colourless) and red beryl. Stones that can look similar include green tourmaline, tsavorite garnet, demantoid garnet, peridot, chrome diopside, green fluorite, jade and green glass.

For the technically minded

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