emerald

     

Emerals are a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6,) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Most emeralds are highly included, so their brittleness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. The word "emerald" comes from Latin smaragdus, via Greek smaragdos, its original source being a Semitic word or the Sanskrit word, marakata, meaning "emerald" or "green".

Trivia about emerald

  • The name of this gemstone came from the Greek "Smaragdos", which probably meant any green stone
  • The vivid green color of this May birthstone was once thought to be good for the eyesight
  • May is green (but not with envy) with this birthstone
  • This green gem is actually a rare variety of beryl
  • This being North Carolina's precious stone may turn other states green with envy
  • One of Ireland's nicknames includes this green hue
  • The largest cut one of these green gems is a whopping 86,136 carats -- too big for a class ring
  • It's a city in Oz or a green gem
  • A plant with bumpy, dark green leaves is called this May birthstone "ripple"
  • L. Frank Baum had this birthstone, the same as the name of a city he created
  • A rare variety of beryl valued as a gem

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