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A fabulous emerald ring from Stuller |
Emeralds are medium to dark green beryl which derives its color from chromium and vanadium. Emerald has a hardness rating of 7.5. of fine color and clarity can be quite expensive.
The best known sources include Colombia, Zambia. Almost all emeralds contain numerous small inclusions and fractures that promote fragility. Most stones on the market are impregnated with oils, waxes, or other substances to mask the fractures and sometimes enhance color.
Most know emerald as vibrant green, and it can appear in yellow-green, blue-green, with emphasis on darker tones.
Light-toned gems are known as "green beryl." For it to qualify as Emerald, the hue was be vivid (bright).
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Emeralds seem to have always been popular as jewelry or "adornment." The choicest member of the beryl family, the ideal shade for emerald is an intense green, distinct from any other green gemstone. Larger size stones tend to contain slight faults or flaws. Accordingly, good sized perfect stones are extremely rare, which accounts for their costliness. Colombia and Africa are the major sources for emerald.
On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, Emerald has a hardness of 7.5–8, which is comparable in strength to tungsten and hardened steel. (For comparison purposes, diamond is a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale and Talc is a 1)
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Billy Joel, the piano man behind "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "Uptown Girl"
Mike Myers, voice of Shrek and acclaimed comedy actor (SNL, Austin Powers)
Pierce Brosnan, Remington Steele and 007 James Bond
Gabourey Sidibe, Oscar nominee for Precious
Candice Bergen, best known for TV's Boston Legal and Murphy Brown
Cher, legendary singer and actress who last starred in the musical Burlesque
David Beckham, celebrated soccer athlete and model
Stephen Colbert, noted funnyman behind Comedy Central's The Colbert Report
Naomi Campbell, model and fashion template
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Entrepreneur and man behind The Social Network
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Emerald is the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus, Cancer and sometimes Gemini.
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Colombia and Zambia most prevalently.
Also: Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In the US, emeralds have been found in Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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