Emerald

The name Emerald derives from the Latin word for green Smarafdus. In around 50 AD. Pliny the Elder wrote "nothing greens greener". Most gem quality emeralds are produced in Columbia, Brazil and Zambia, although it is also present in other places around the world. Columbian emeralds have a reputation for being the best, but recently the world's largest producer Brazil has been producing some very fine stones.

Belonging to the Beryl family, it has a hardness of 7.5 - 8, but is a brittle stone. The brittleness is due to many inclusions inherent in the material that will split if exposed to a sharp blow. It is commonly accepted that emeralds be oiled or resin filled, to help disguise the many inherent inclusions.

Due to the hardness and brittleness of emeralds it isn't suitable for every day wear. Although it will be more suitable for a pendant or ear studs that don't take as much wear as a ring.