Zamrud

Zamrud is the Indonesian term for the gemstone emerald. Emerald is a green to bluish-green variety of the mineral beryl, with the chemical formula Be3Al2Si6O18. Its vivid color is caused by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. High-quality emeralds show strong color saturation and transparency, but many stones contain inclusions, sometimes described as jardin.

Physical properties: Emeralds have a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a refractive index of about 1.57–1.58. They exhibit pleochroism, appearing as different greens when viewed from different directions. Common inclusions are rutile needles and other mineral crystals; these are often used to identify natural stones.

Occurrence and mining: Emeralds form in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites associated with granitic rocks. Historically important sources include Colombia (Chivor, Muzo), and later Brazil and Zambia; other sources include Afghanistan, Madagascar, Russia, and several locations worldwide. In Indonesia, emerald deposits have been reported but the country is not among the leading producers.

Industry and treatments: Emeralds are widely used in jewelry. Price and value depend on color, hue, saturation, clarity, and carat weight. Many emeralds are treated with oils or resins to improve clarity; some stones may be fracture-filled. Synthetic emeralds produced by hydrothermal or flux processes are common in the market and can be difficult to distinguish from natural stones without testing.

Name and meaning: In Indonesian usage, zamrud refers to emeralds in general and is used in both everyday speech and technical contexts. Emeralds have been highly valued across cultures for their vivid green color, rarity, and lore associated with growth and renewal.