esmeraldas

Esmeraldas is the plural form of esmeralda in Spanish, commonly used to refer to emeralds, the green variety of the mineral beryl. The word esmeralda derives from Latin smaragdus, via Old French esmeraude and Spanish. Emeralds have been valued as gemstones for thousands of years, prized for their vivid green color, rarity, and the play of light produced by inclusions.

Chemically, emerald is Be3Al2Si6O18, a beryl colored by trace amounts of chromium or vanadium. Emeralds crystallize in hexagonal prisms and have a hardness of about 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Natural stones often contain inclusions; clarity can be improved by oil or resin filling. Treatments and synthetic emeralds are common in the gem trade, affecting value and durability.

Esmeraldas also designates places in Ecuador: the city of Esmeraldas on the Pacific coast and Esmeraldas Province, whose name reflects historical emerald trade in the region. The city is a port and the capital of the province, with an economy based on fishing and export, and a culturally diverse population including Afro-Ecuadorian communities. The term esmeraldas, in broader use, thus covers both the gemstones and the geographic locations that bear the name.