Emerald

Real mineral · very rare · Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Green beryl coloured by chromium and vanadium. One of the rarest beryl varieties due to the unusual geological conditions required for chromium and beryllium to occur together. Most specimens contain visible inclusions called jardin.

Identity

Formula
Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
Chemical class
silicate
Mineral group
Aquamarine, Beryl
Also known as
Green beryl, Smaragdus (archaic)

Crystallography

Crystal system
hexagonal
Habits
prismatic, columnar
Fracture
conchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness
7.5
Density
2.76 g/cm³
Luster
vitreous
Colors
green, dark green, yellow-green, blue-green
Streak
white
Transparency
transparent, translucent

Geology

Origins
hydrothermal, metamorphic
Host rocks
schist, granite, limestone
Associated minerals
Calcite, Quartz, Pyrite, feldspar
Geography
Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan

Classification

Rarity
very rare
Gem quality
Yes

Arcane properties

Affinity
life, earth
Effects
healing, scrying
Planar origin
Material Plane

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