“12 Interesting Facts About Emeralds

That Might Surprise You”

Emeralds are recognized as one of the four precious stones world wide

Emeralds are actually a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by small amounts of chromium or vanadium

Emeralds are produced in more than 30 countries including:

Brazil , Colombia, Afghanistan, Australia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Egypt,Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Colombia is the world's largest producer of

emeralds, providing for more than 50% of the world’s production

The three principal emerald mining areas in Colombia are Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor

Although the traditional rectangular cut is most common, emeralds can be cut into a variety of other shapes

Rare “trapiche” emeralds are found only in Colombia and are distinguished by a six-pointed radial pattern of dark carbon impurity spokes radiating from the gem’s center

In the United States, emeralds have been discovered in the states of North and South Carolina, Nevada, Montana and Connecticut. Emeralds were first discovered in the Yukon in 1997.

By definition, true emeralds are green The name comes from the Greek word

"smaragdus", meaning green

Emeralds are graded using four basic parameters: Color, Cut, Clarity and Crystal.

Crystal, is a synonym for transparency, which is also called diaphaneity.

Emerald smugglers are called “quaqueros”

Emeralds are often found near large deposits of Quartz

The world’s foremost Emerald Museum is on the 23rd floor of a skyscraper in Bogota, Colombia

Prof. Larry M. Lynch proflmlynch@gmail.com

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