Emerald
A clear emerald of a fine grass-green color and several carats in weight is the most highly valued of all gemstones. It will fetch a higher price than an equivalent ruby or diamond, largely on account of its rarity.
The intense color of fine emeralds is given to them by chromium oxide; strictly speaking, the yellowish-green stones colored by iron and not chromium should be called 'green beryl'. The name emerald derives from the Latin smaragdus via the French emeraude. The best emeralds come from South America and Colombia. They are found in thin veins, mainly in limestone marls. Both in their formation and subsequently, they have been subjected to colossal stresses, often resulting in numerous fractures and cracks, so emeralds must be treated with some care lest they break apart. Perhaps this is the reason why some people regard them as unlucky, though this belief may be partly founded on the ill-luck that associate with the green color.
The color of emeralds blends beautifully with a gold setting and is not impaired when viewed in artificial light which tend to darken some green stones. Of all the emeralds mined, less than one percent are of outstanding quality. Most of the stones are not even worth cutting, but a few remarkably large crystals have been recovered.
Reference has been made to the recent increase in the production of synthetic and imitation emeralds. The latter present few problems of identification but synthesis has now achieved such perfection that some care is required in distinguishing between natural and artificial stones. The inclusions within the stones is the surest guide. They often enable one to determine the origin of natural stones from different localities and always enable one to distinguish these from synthetic stones. There are also differences in there transparency and fluorescence under ultraviolet light and some synthetic have a lower density and refractive index.
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