The Emerald remains one of the most popular gems today and is one of the rarest and most valuable precious stones. Emerald is the astrological, Jyotish gem related to Mercury, which is the planet of intelligence, speech, communication, trade and commerce. Improves learning abilities and clairvoyance and it is beneficial to the nervous system. Wearing a clean emerald of at least 1.5 carat is said to give good results in all the business and trade activities. It will also make the wearer a very persuasive speaker. Emerald can be substituted with peridot, green tourmaline, chrome diopside or chrysoprase of at least 3 carats.

Gemological properties

Chemical composition: Be3A12So603 + Cr
Color: From light yellowish green to dark bluish green and everything in between
Hardness: 7.5 - 8
Density: 0.005 - 0.009
Refractive index: 1.577 - 1.593
Birefringence: 0.005 - 0.009
Occurrence: The finest emeralds are from Colombia at Chivor, Muzo, Gachala and Coscuez mines. Other fine emeralds come from Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan, Russia, Tanzanis (Lake Manyara). Colombian emeralds from Muzo and Coscuez can be distinguished in a general way because Muzo material is blue-green, whereas that from Coscuez is yellowish green.

Astrological Properties

Planet: Mercury
Cosmic Color: Green
Number: 5
Chakra: 1st, Sahasrana
Sign: Gemini & Virgo
Element: Earth
Day: Wednesday
Time: Sunrise

Birthstone for: May

The name emerald is derived from the Greek word Smaragdos meaning "green stone" and, in ancient times, it referred to just about any green colored gemstone. The birthstone for May, emerald is the most prized and precious variety of the gemstone group known as beryl, which also consists of aquamarine and other variations of beryl. Today, most of the world's Emeralds are mined in Columbia, Brazil and Zambia. The green color of emerald is incomparable in the world of gemstones and, for this reason, the color is commonly referred to as "emerald green". The green color in emerald is caused by the presence of chromium in the chemical composition of this particular form of beryl. Under magnification the internal characteristics in an emerald, which include liquid bubbles, gas bubbles, internal stress fractures, and foreign crystals form a virtual garden within the gemstone. Most natural Emeralds contain a variety of these internal inclusions, commonly referred to as "jarden", which is French for garden. Perfection in emerald, as in most all things, is the most rare of nature's treasures. Emerald is the birthstone for May and symbolizes rebirth and youth. Enhancements — When mined from the earth, almost all Emeralds have internal inclusions, or "birthmarks", some of which distinguish them as natural gemstones. Since early times, merchants would purify the color of Emeralds by immersing them in oils or paraffin, which would fill the fissures that were open at the surface and render them almost invisible to the naked eye. Along with the use of oils and resins, there are much more sophisticated techniques being used today to clarity enhance Emeralds.