We do not carry emerald. It is the deep green variety of beryl, the traditional May birthstone, and most are soaked in clear oil to hide fine cracks.
Beryl (beryllium aluminium silicate) · Beryl
Emerald
Esmeralda
- Palette
- Green
- Mined in
- Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Austria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
- Hardness
- Mohs 7.5–8.0 ?
- See-through
- transparent
- Known since
- Prehistoric
- Named for
- Greek smaragdos, meaning green gem
- Also sold as
- green beryl
- Intention
- Love New Beginnings
- Looking for
- Love Relationships Fresh starts
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- Most emeralds are oiled to fill surface cracks, and low-cost ones are often filled with resin. A few are dyed.
Not in our pieces now
MOGUL MUGHAL
A 217.80-carat Colombian emerald was carved with Shi'a prayers dated 1695 to 1696 and now sits in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
£1,543,750
Christie's sold the Mogul Mughal Emerald on 27 September 2001 for £1,543,750, including the buyer's premium.
7,525 CARATS
Zambia's Chipembele emerald, found in 2021, weighs 7,525 carats, or 1.505 kilograms.
What it is
The deep green variety of beryl, colored by trace chromium or vanadium. It is usually full of tiny inclusions and fine cracks, which gem people call its garden, and fine stones are valued for rich color more than for perfect clarity.
What gives it its color
Emerald is beryl colored green by a trace of chromium, sometimes vanadium; a little iron can tint it bluish or yellowish green. Most cut emeralds are oiled, and cheaper ones are filled with resin, to hide surface cracks.
Where it comes from
Colombia (Muzo, Coscuez, Chivor) is the historic leader and Zambia (the Kafubu area) is second; Brazil, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe also produce emerald.
In history
Egypt's emerald mines, worked from about 1500 BC, were run on an industrial scale by the Romans and Byzantines until Colombia's deposits ended them. Colombian stones were shipped to India by the Spanish in the 1500s and 1600s, among them the 37.82-carat Chalk Emerald from Muzo, which went to the Smithsonian in 1972. The 858-carat Gachalá emerald, found in Colombia in 1967, is in the Smithsonian too.
What's said about it
In crystal lore today, emerald is the stone of love and faithfulness. People keep it for partnership, and it is the stone given to Taurus.
Ancient Romans ranked it third among all gems, and older gem lore gave it to Venus. For a green stone from our table, ask about green aventurine or green jade.
How people wear or keep it: As a ring, as a necklace or bracelet, in a pocket, or as an engagement ring.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, emerald is paired with the heart chakra, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: as a ring, as a necklace or bracelet, in a pocket. People reach for it when they want love, relationships, fresh starts, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart
ZodiacTaurus
BirthstoneMay
Anniversary20th (also 35th)
ElementWater
Also calledgreen beryl
Care
- Hard, but emeralds are often full of fine cracks, so a hard knock can still chip or split one.
- Most are soaked in oil to improve clarity; skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners and strong solvents, which can pull the oil out.
- Wipe with a soft cloth and a little mild soapy water, then dry; do not soak.
- Keep away from sudden temperature changes.
How to tell what you have
- Emerald is green beryl, hard (7.5 to 8) but full of small inclusions and cracks, which is normal for the stone.
- Look out for glass, green-dyed quartz and doublets that look perfectly clear and flawless. Avoid hot water, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, which can pull out the filler.
What sets the price
Price follows the depth and evenness of the green first, then how clear the stone is, its size, and whether it has been oiled or filled with resin. Stones with no oil or resin filling cost more than oiled or filled ones.
Rules and sourcing
Most emeralds are oiled to fill surface cracks, low-cost ones are often resin-filled, and a few are dyed. The FTC jewelry guides call for a seller to disclose oil, resin or dye, and filled stones need gentle care.
Questions people ask at our table
What is emerald?
The green variety of the mineral beryl. Its green comes from small amounts of chromium or vanadium. Aquamarine and morganite are the same mineral in other colors.
Do you sell emerald?
No. For a green stone in our pieces, look at green aventurine and green jade.
Are emeralds oiled?
Most are soaked in cedar or another clear oil to make their natural cracks less visible. This is standard practice and should be disclosed when you buy.
How can I tell it from other green stones?
Emerald is transparent and hard (7.5 to 8). Dioptase, green glass and green quartz can look similar but are softer, or are not beryl.
Where does emerald come from?
Colombia has long been the largest source, with Zambia second, and Brazil, Egypt, India, Austria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe also producing it.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
Stay in the loop
Sign up to hear about new product drops, upcoming events, and the latest from Peritik. No spam, just the good stuff.