Jewelry Gems

Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Most emeralds are highly included, so their toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. Emeralds in antiquity were mined by the Egyptians and in Austria. Fine emeralds are also mined in other countries, such as Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia. Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May.