Emerald

Emerald
Emerald crystals from Muzo, Colombia
General
CategoryBeryl variety
Formula
(repeating unit)
Be3Al2(SiO3)6
Crystal symmetry(6/m 2/m 2/m) – Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Unit cella = 9.21 Å, c = 9.19 Å; Z = 2
Identification
Molecular mass537.50
ColorGreen shades
Crystal habitMassive to well Crystalline
Crystal systemHexagonal (6/m 2/m 2/m) Space group: P6/mсc
CleavageImperfect on the [0001]
FractureConchoidal
Mohs scale hardness7.5–8
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to opaque
Specific gravityAverage 2.76
Optical propertiesUniaxial (-)
Refractive indexnω = 1.564–1.595,
nε = 1.568–1.602
Birefringenceδ = 0.0040–0.0070
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone (some fracture filling materials used to improve emerald's clarity do fluoresce, but the stone itself does not)
References[1]

An emerald is a mineral gemstone and a variety of beryl. It is the birthstone of someone whose birthday is in the month of May. It is a green crystal. The emerald is one of the most valuable gems, along with the ruby, the opal, topaz, the diamond, and a sapphire.

  1. "Emerald at Mindat". Mindat.org. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2010-07-30.

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