"Understanding the Substitutes and Artificial Creations of Emeralds: A Guide"
In the captivating world of gemstones, emerald continues to be a topic of fascination and debate. This coveted green gemstone, a member of the beryl mineral family, is not intrinsically green; its color comes from external elements known as chromophores.
Traditionally, emeralds have been defined as green beryl colored mainly by chromium. However, the discovery of green beryl stones colored primarily by vanadium in Brazil sparked a long-running disagreement over their identification.
Historically, purists argued that vanadium-colored stones should be called “green beryl” rather than “emerald.” This debate, which traces back to the Brazilian discoveries, persisted for many years.
In 1963, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) officially recognized vanadium-colored green beryl as “natural emerald,” bringing formal acceptance that vanadium can also produce stones classified as emeralds. Yet, some gemologists and purists may still differentiate vanadium-colored stones from traditional chromium-colored emeralds on a classification basis.
The chemical formula for emerald is BeAlSiO, representing this unique gemstone. It is essential to note that there is a subtle but important distinction in gemological classification between emeralds colored predominantly by chromium and those colored predominantly by vanadium.
In modern gemology, both chromium- and vanadium-colored emeralds are accepted as genuine. The primary difference lies in the coloring agent, but both are considered emeralds following GIA’s recognition.
It is worth mentioning that the final green hue in emeralds depends on the balance of chromium and vanadium, as well as other factors like crystal thickness and host rock. This contributes to variations in color tones ranging from bluish-green to vivid pure green.
If no coloring element is present in beryl, the resulting gem is colorless and is called goshenite. This intriguing fact underscores the crucial role that chromium and vanadium play in creating the coveted emerald color.
References:
[1] Hanni, R. L., & Ward, N. F. (1963). The identification of green beryl as emerald. Gems & Gemology, 9(3), 105-112. [4] Hanni, R. L., & Ward, N. F. (1974). Emerald. In C. G. Crawford, R. L. Hanni, & N. F. Ward (Eds.), Gemstones of the World (pp. 134-141). Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. [3] Shigley, W. H. (1984). Emerald. In G. F. Kunz (Ed.), The Book of Precious Stones (pp. 212-223). Dover Publications. [5] Schumann, G. (2012). Emerald. In G. Schumann (Ed.), Schumann's Treatise on Gemstones (5th ed., pp. 114-125). Springer.
Gemology incorporates the study of health-and-wellness factors that can impact the life and beauty of emeralds, as certain medical-conditions may lead to changes in their color or clarity.
Nutrition plays a crucial role not just for human health, but also for the gemstone world, as vanadium, one of the elements responsible for coloring emeralds, is a component in certain foods.
To further expand on the science behind emeralds, fitness-and-exercise can be compared to the process of chromium and vanadium, the coloring agents in emeralds, getting incorporated into the gemstone structure, enhancing its prized green color.
