EMERALD
Specimen eme-17

Dims: 5" x 5" x 3"

Wt: 41.4 oz

Colombia

This specimen is the best piece of crystalline emerald in our stock. As you can see, the color is a deep emerald-green, and looks like several columnar crystals that have fused and grown together to a length of about 3/4". The host rock is the typical Colombian Emerald growth matrix of Calcite with scattered Pyrite crystals. This specimen is a very high-quality collector's item!

Dims: 3-3/4" x 2" x 1-1/2"

Wt: 2.5 oz

Colombia

Cut cleanly in one direction, this specimen looks like a lapidarist's slab tailing. The matrix looks like Calcite with Biotite and Hornblende, but I am not sure. The Emerald crystals are quite small, measuring at most about 5/16 inch in length and 1/8 inch wide. Their color, though pale, is the classic bright green with the tiniest tinge of blue that is characteristic of all Emeralds. I imagine that a lapidarist could polish up the cut face of this piece and make something very beautiful out of it.

Dims: 3-1/2" x 1-1/4" x 1"

Wt: 2.8 oz

Colombia

Another member of my "Best Value Club," this specimen was probably scrap left over from a lapidarist's slabbing supply. It has several crystals of Emerald in it, measuring up to 3/8 inch long and 1/8 inch wide. The crystals are incomplete and show no structure, but have a good, moderately deep green color, and there are many of them exposed. I personally wonder how many are still in the matrix...

Dims: 5-3/8" x 3-1/4" x 3"

Wt: 2 lbs., 3 oz

Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Emerald crystals on this specimen are quite easy to see; they are huge. The largest of them dominates the piece, being 3 inches long and almost 2 inches wide. It, like its dozen-or-so smaller partners, has a patchy, opaque emerald-green color that is definitely not gem-quality. The large crystal has a broken end with no termination, and a healed break about an inch below that.

Dims: 4.3" x 3.3" x 2.9" (10.9 x 8.4 x 7.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 9.8 oz. (732 g)

Colombia

Several partially-buried Emerald crystals are set in the dark gray limestone host rock of this specimen. The largest and most visible of these crystals measures 0.4" (1.0 cm) long and 0.2" (0.5 cm) in diameter. Almost all of the visible crystals are broken and incomplete. Their color is, of course, emerald-green, and they have a vitreous luster and are translucent, with small patches of transparence within. The gray host rock in which they rest is made up of dark gray limestone that has been broken open, with a slightly paler gray calcite filling in the cracks. This calcite is where the Emerald crystals rest, along with many small, slightly-malformed pyrite crystals. There may be a few other Emeralds in this matrix that can be uncovered with some careful work.

Dims: 0.7" x 0.3" x 0.3" (1.8 x 0.8 x 0.7 cm)

Wt: 1.0 g

Colombia

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a portion of a broken Emerald crystal. Though showing large breakage surfaces at both ends, it has noticeable crystal form with well-defined prism faces. Its color is a slightly pale emerald green and it has a pearly to vitreous luster on its prism faces and a vitreous luster on its breakage surfaces. Though showing some transparence, it is very heavily internally fractured, so that clarity is spoiled beyond 1 mm below the surface. I have affixed it inside a domed plastic specimen box for display.

Dims: 0.5" x 0.3" x 0.2" (1.3 x 0.8 x 0.5 cm)

Wt: 0.7 g

Colombia

One of the smallest specimens of our entire stock, this piece consists of a portion of an Emerald crystal. Though it is incomplete, missing both its termination and some of its prism faces, it is visibly crystalline in nature and has a splendid, deep Emerald-green color. The existing prism faces have a pearly to vitreous luster, whereas the substantial breakage surfaces have a vitreous luster. The stone is transparent and shows small areas of impressive clarity, though they are too small from which to harvest a stone. There is a very small amount of pyrite partially intergrown on one side of the piece. I have affixed it inside a domed thimble box for display.

Dims: 4.5" x 2.7" x 2.3" (11.4 x 6.9 x 5.8 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 2.3 oz. (519 g)

Colombia

The black shale/limestone host rock of this specimen contains at least 10 visible pieces of Emerald crystal. All but one are broken, but the intact crystal is in excellent condition and is at least 40% exposed. It measures at least 0.5" (1.3 cm) long and 0.1" (0.3 cm) wide and is somewhat malformed, appearing not to have a hexagonal prismatic form. The visible portion of its termination consists of a single, steeply-angled face that has interesting curved striations. It has the classic emerald-green coloration and a vitreous luster, and shows considerable transparence but is far too heavily internally fractured for good clarity. It and the other Emerald portions rest in white calcite veins that run through the host rock. These veins also contain a substantial amount of crystalline pyrite. I suppose that one could either acid-bathe or abrade emerald-free areas to search for more within, but that sounds like it would be a lot of work, so it is probably best to enjoy what is visible on the specimen.

Dims: 1.6 x 1.4 x 0.7" (4.1 vx 3.6 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 1.0 oz. (29.7 g)

Yunnan Province, China

The quartz- and mica-laden matrix of this thumbnail specimen contains at least 2 hexagonal prismatic Emerald crystals. These crystals, however, are so heavily intergrown that I will refer to them as a single unit. The "crystal" that they constitute has visible dimensions of 1.1 x 0.3" (2.8 x 0.8 cm), and is in good condition, as it shows some noticeable damage. Its hexagonal prismatic form is very good given its intergrowth, as it shows well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a luster that ranges from pearly to vitreous depending on the prism or termination face that is viewed. Though rather even and flat, the crystal's base has been broken off, but 2 of its three terminaitions are intact. The crystal's color is a moderately pale emerald-green- this pale coloration is likely caused by the intense internal fracturing and presence of cloudy inclusions in the crystal, which is translucent.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.9" (4.3 x 2.8 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (37.7 g)

Yunnan Province, China

At least 4 separate and distinct Emerald crystals are embedded in the quartz-and-mica host rock of this thumbnail specimen. Only one of these, however, is well-exposed and easy to study. It is the largest crystal on the piece, and has a length of 0.9" (2.3 cm) and a diameter that ranges from 0.2 - 0.3" (5 -8 mm). The crystal is not complete, as a portion of it is missing, including its termination. Its hexagonal prismatic form is excellent, however, with exposed edges being well-defined and exposed faces being striated but clean and possessing a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster. It has the classic emerald-green coloration and is dimly to moderately translucent due to intense internal fracturing. The massive quartz that immediately surrounds the crystal has a noticeable violet tinge to it, and a few of the tiny muscovite books nearby show definite hexagonal outlines.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.7 x 1.6" (4.3 x 4.3 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 2.95 oz. (83.6 g)

Wenshan, Yunnan Province, China

A single hexagonal Emerald crystal is partly embedded in the limestone host rock of this large thumbnail specimen. The crystal has dimensions of 0.9 x 0.2" (2.3 x 0.5 cm) and is in excellent condition, showing no visible human-induced damage. Its form is very good, with relatively well-defined edges and striated but clean faces that possess the standard vitreous luster. Its basal termination might be the result of a well-healed break, but it is nonetheless too smooth and even to be a fresh breakage surface. It has a moderately deep emerald-green coloration and is partly transparent due to the presence of many basally-oriented internal fractures. Portions of the surrounding host rock are generously infused with many tiny bits of muscovite, but it has no other crystalline constituents.

Dims: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.5" (2.0 x 1.8 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 2.9 g

Chivor Mine, Colombia

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster of at least a dozen tiny, intergrown Emerald crystals. They are all quite small, not exceeding 0.4" (1.0 cm) in length, but are in surprisingly good condition, showing very little damage. Even with their rather intense intergrowth, they have a good hexagonal prismatic form and are topped by flat basal terminations. Their edges are well-defined and their faces are clean, possessing the standard vitreous luster. Their emerald-green coloration is very pale, but several of the crystals are noticeably transparent and clear. A tiny amount of pyrite is attached to the underside of the cluster, but there is no actual host rock present.

Dims: 3.8 x 3.7 x 1.4" (9.7 x 9.4 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 12.3 oz. (350 g)

Colombia

This hand specimen consists of a chunk of gray limestone host rock in which are embedded a few broken Emerald crystals. These crystals are badly broken and do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) along any axis. Two of them show some vestiges of a hexagonal prismatic form, but they are too deeply embedded in the host rock and broken to effectively study. All have the bright, emerald-green coloration that is a hallmark of this type of beryl and show a bright pearly luster where discernable. Though they are transparent, the material is heavily fractured. A few small patches of crystalline calcite accompany them.

Dims: 2.2 x 2.0 x 2.0" (5.6 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm)

Wt: 3.62 oz. (102.7 g)

Chivor, Colombia

This hand specimen consists of a rough chunk of banded limestone in which rests a single Emerald crystal. It measures 0.4" (1 cm) in length and 0.3" (7 mm) in diameter and is in excellent condition, showing only one tiny spot of damage. Though it is rather deeply embedded in a crevice in the host, its hexagonal prismatic form is visible and appears to be very good. It appears to have at least one natural, basal termination that is partly exposed. The other end of the crystal is likely also naturally terminated, but is nearly impossible to study. Its edges are well-defined and its faces are clean, possessing a bright, vitreous luster. The Emerald has a beautiful moderate green coloration and is transparent and moderately clear, containing a few internal fractures and inclusions. The crevice in which it rests is lined with crystalline calcite that has a pale brown color.

Dims: 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.7" (3.6 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 15.0 g

Chivor, Colombia

A single, partial Emerald crystal rests on the calcite base of this thumbnail specimen. This crystal is quite small, measuring 0.2" (5 mm) in length and 0.1" (2 mm) in diameter, and is in moderately good condition, as its termination is missing. Its hexagonal prismatic form is otherwise excellent, however, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess the standard vitreous luster. Its color is a deep emerald green and it is transparent and moderately to very clear, as one end contains a few substantial internal fractures. Accompanying the Emerald are a few small pyrite clusters- one of these is in very good condition, showing little damage and excellent, though intergrown, octahedral form. The white calcite base is also crystalline, but is rather badly damaged and intergrown.

Dims: 3.9 x 2.1 x 1.8" (9.9 x 5.4 x 4.6 cm)

Wt: 12.5 oz. (354 g)

Colombia

This large hand specimen consists of several incomplete Emerald crystals that rest in a chunk of gray limestone. These Emeralds are in fair to poor condition, as all are damaged or broken, and do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in length. Where intact, their hexagonal prismatic form appears to be good. All have a pale emerald-green coloration and vitreous luster, and are translucent to dimly transparent. Most are partly embedded in a vein of gray-white calcite that runs through the host rock, along with many tiny pyrite crystals.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.2" (1.3 x 1.3 x 0.5 cm)

Wt: 0.4 oz. (12 g) w/ specimen box

Muzo, Colombia

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a partial Emerald crystal. Though most of its basal termination is complete, only a small portion of its prism length is present. However, its hexagonal form is easily discernable and appears to be quite good. It has a rather pale emerald-green coloration and the standard vitreous luster. It is also transparent and clear, though heavily internally fractured. No host rock is present, and the piece is glued inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.3 x 0.2 x 0.2" (7 x 5 x 5 mm)

Wt: 0.3 oz. (9 g) w/ specimen box

Muzo, Colombia

This single Emerald crystal is only slightly more than 50% complete. It shows extensive damage along 3 of its prism faces, but only a small spot of damage on its basal termination face appears to be recent. Its hexagonal form is very good, and it shows a deep emerald-green color and the standard vitreous luster. Though it is transparent, its clarity is spoiled by some cloudiness and many internal fractures. There is no base or host material present, and the crystal is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.2" (1.1 x 0.8 x 0.5 cm)

Wt: 0.4 oz. (11 g) w/ specimen box

Muzo, Colombia

A section of a single Emerald crystal comprises this small thumbnail. The piece is in moderately good condition, showing a considerable amount of fresh damage and a small amount of old damage along the edges of its basal termination. Its hexagonal form is quite good, however. The Emerald has the standard emerald-green coloration and a rather dull, pearly to waxy luster. It is dimly transparent, containing many cloudy inclusions, a few internal fractures, and several black inclusions, one of which may be a tiny pyrite crystal or shard. The piece is hot-glued into a thumbnail box.

Dims: 4.0x3.3x2.4" (10.2x8.4x6.1 cm)

Wt: 17.0 oz (481.0 g)

Columbia

This hand specimen consists of nearly a dozen incomplete Emerald crystals. The matrix is a chunk of gray polycrystalline calcite with thousands of tiny pyrite crystals adding to the color and sparkle. The Emeralds are in poor condition, as all are damaged or broken, and do not exceed 0.2" (4 mm) in length. They do have the usual Columbian emerald-green color, and some of the crystals show good transparency.

Dims: 3.1x1.5x1.3" (7.9x3.7x3.2 cm)

Carnaiba, Bahia, Brazil

Most of this hand specimen is emerald, although it does have a base of a mica schist (which itself contains additional tiny emerald crystals). The emerald is fairly aesthetic, although it is opaque and a relatively low quality. It is a cluster of long emerald crystals which are slightly curved. There are natural terminations, and the largest crystal in the cluster measures over 10mm in diameter and 55mm in length.

Dims: 0.9x0.7x0.4: (2.2x1.7x1.1cm)

Wt: 21.9 ct. (4.38g)

Muzo Mine, Columbia

This specimen has over a dozen small but good emerald crystals growing from a bit of quartz, and with a few specs of pyrite for contrast. The emerald is a light green, and the crystals would be gem quality but there are numerous internal fractures, and the color is too light to be cut into small gemstones. While most of the crystals are damaged, a few show excellent hexagonal crystal form, with characteristic flat terminations. As these crystals are transparent (although obscured by the many internal fractures), this makes a nice example of emerald, as most specimens near this price are opaque.

Dims: 2.62x2.34x1.26" (6.66x5.94x3.21cm)

Wt: 4.65oz. (131.5g)

Carnaiba, Bahia, Brazil

A relatively large emerald crystal is perched on a piece of broken quartz. It is a deep green, and translucent. It is accompanied by many small black mica crystals (likely biotite), which are intergrown with the qartz and with the emerald. There are also several smaller emerald crystals, which are generally pale but nearly transparent, and which penetrate into the host quartz to an unknown depth. There are also two areas where emerald crystals left their imprint (and a little coating of emerald) on the quartz.

Dims: 1.85x1.11x0.63" (4.71x2.81x1.61cm)

Wt: 0.91oz (25.7g)

Pakistan

A single emerald crystal is perched on a polylitionite base. The emerald (measuring 6mmx8mm) is essentially translucent, with a good emerald-green color. Close examination with a loupe reveals that it is slightly transparent (at least along the edges), and that for the most part the surface texture is due to the removal of the host polylitionite. Incidentally, the polylitionite is fluoresces a dim yellow under LW ultraviolet.

Dims: 2.60x2.12x0.95" (6.62x5.38x2.41cm)

Wt: 3.48oz (98.5g)

Cheremsha, Urals, Russia

This is a rather nice emerald specimen. It displays two crystals, one of which has separated into two parts. The color is an excellent deep emerald green, and they are more than translucent. The larger crystal has areas of transparency (normally difficult because of the surface texture), and I suspect that the depth of color is due to the interior transparency. The crystals are clearly hexagonal but do not show terminations. The black, dense host rock is a very finely grained mica, probably biotite, judging by the color of the individual crystals (examined with a high-power loupe).