Emerald
The
emerald is a variety of the
mineral beryl, colored green by trace amounts of
chromium and sometimes
iron. It is highly prized as a
gemstone and ounce for ounce is the most valuable gemstone in the world, often made more so by inclusions. Beryl has a
hardness of 8 on the 10-point
Mohs scale of hardness.
See also: List of minerals
Further Reading
- Emerald & Other Beryls, John Sinkankas, Geoscience Press, 1994, hardcover textbook, ISBN 0801971144
Emerald is also the name of a town in Queensland.