Smaragdos

Smaragdos is the ancient Greek name for emeralds, a green variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18). The vivid color comes mainly from chromium, with vanadium contributing in some stones. Emeralds range from deep green to bluish-green and are valued for hue, saturation, and translucency. Inclusions are common; many emeralds exhibit a garden-like appearance known as Jardin.

Etymology and identification: The Greek term smaragdos is the source of the English word emerald through Latin smaragdus and Old French esmeralde. Gemologists assess emeralds by color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. They typically have a Mohs hardness of about 7.5–8 and a refractive index near 1.58.

Geology and sources: Emeralds form in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites associated with metamorphic rocks. Principal sources include Colombia (Muzo, Coscuez, Chivor), Brazil (Minas Gerais, Bahia), Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with deposits in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Mozambique as well. Inclusions create Jardin, but their presence can enhance character or impact value depending on color and visibility. Treatments such as oil or resin filling are common to improve clarity; untreated stones are highly valued.

History, industry, and use: Emeralds have long been treasured in ancient civilizations, notably by the Egyptians and Cleopatra. Modern production is global, and synthetic emeralds have been produced since the 1960s by flux-growth and hydrothermal methods. Emerald is widely used in jewelry and is the May birthstone in some traditions; care should avoid harsh cleaning methods and sharp impacts. The four Cs—color, clarity, cut, and carat weight—govern grading and price.