smaragdit

Smaragdit is the Swedish term for emerald, the green gemstone variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18). The color is caused primarily by trace amounts of chromium, and sometimes vanadium, with iron influencing hue in some stones. Emeralds range from yellow-green to vivid blue-green, and many exhibit a characteristic golden sheen from rutile inclusions.

Physically, emeralds have a hardness of about 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale and a refractive index around 1.565–1.600. They crystallize in the hexagonal system and commonly occur as prismatic crystals. Cleavage is poor, and fractures may be conchoidal. The transparency can vary from transparent to translucent, and inclusions are common; the so-called garden-like appearance (internal haze and needle-like inclusions) can affect value.

Occurrences and sources are widespread, with major commercial deposits in Colombia (notably Muzo and Coscuez), Brazil, and Zambia. Other important producing regions include Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Ethiopia. Emeralds form in pegmatitic veins and hydrothermal environments associated with quartz, feldspar, and mica.

Treatment and synthetic options are common in the market. Most natural emeralds are treated to improve clarity, typically through oiling or resin filling; some stones are fracture-filled or stabilized. High-value stones may be cut and polished with standard jewelry techniques. Synthetic emeralds produced by hydrothermal or flux methods imitate natural emerald color and properties but are distinguished by gemological testing.

Etymology traces the name to the Greek smaragdos, meaning green gem. Emerald has a long history in jewelry and ornament, prized for its rich color and rarity. In gemology, smaragdit is evaluated for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, with color and inclusions playing major roles in value.