The Great Green Divide


All emerald is green beryl. But not all green beryl is emerald.

Stay with me on this one
You'll enjoy learning about the subtle nuances that define both forms of green beryl. First of all, beryl is one of the most adored and collected of all colored gemstones. Several popular colored stones are members of the beryl mineral family; Morganite, that delicious pinky toned beauty is one beryl. But aquamarine, golden beryl (heliodor) red beryl, colorless goshenite, plus stones with cats eyes or trapiche stones are also in the group. Beryl can occur in large carat sizes, thus expanding its potential with stone cutters and ultimately designers.

Divide and Consensus
Let's look at emerald. Many jewelry collectors own emerald. The verdant hues of this stone are irresistible to colored stone fans. Modern consensus agrees that grass green or slightly blue green emeralds from Colombia are the most coveted of all.

Emerald
Emeralds are the exquisite result of combined elements of aluminum plus silicon and importantly the rare beryllium. A couple of other trace elements like chromium or vanadium (or a combo of both) contributes the distinctive green tint to emerald. Should the mineral also bear a bit of iron, that stone will exhibit that coveted slight bluish-tint. Most emerald has been treated with oil, sometimes green colored oil to enhance the appearance of higher clarity. Top emeralds are mostly found in Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Green Beryl
Green beryl, on the other hand is a lighter toned emerald. But that fact can be up for interpretation, can't it? At what subtle shade does the green beryl leap into the emerald group? Green beryl the lighter tint, always includes the presence of iron and commonly features vertical grooved markings and striations with vitreous luster to its coloring. A feature of green beryl is that it is not typically treated in any way.Green beryl is mined in The Ural mountains of Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Africa, South America and elsewhere.

At the end of the day, personal preference drives an attraction to either green beryl or emerald. Why not collect both?  Each is alluring and worthy of our admiration.

 A truly magnificent sapphire and green beryl cocktail ring at Lang Antiques. Art Deco, circa 1930's-40's.

The stunning Deco-era ring shown here from Lang Antiques features a green beryl halo around a central sapphire.

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