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EMERALD

Chemical Composition: Beryllium Aluminium Sillicate, Be 3 Al 2  (SiO 3 ) 6
Refractive Index: 1.57 - 1.60
Specific Gravity: 2.65 - 2.80
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Moh's Hardness: 7 ½

Emeralds are apart of the Beryl family and owe its green colour to traces of

chromium or vanadium. Almost all natural stones contain fissures and

inclusions making them a brittle stone that is easily chipped. These inclusions

are important as they help to distinguish the natural stones from the synthetic

emeralds as well as other green stones.

Localities for Emeralds include Columbia, India, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Brazil

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