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EMERALD is green beryl, that is, green beryl colored by the impurity of chromium (sometimes vanadium). Colombia is probably the most famous source of emeralds, but they are also found in Brazil, Africa, Australia, Zambia and the U.S.
                                                                                                 

The name "emerald" comes from the Greek "Smaragdos", which means "green stone".

Emeralds are found in very light to very dark green, usually rather included. The French word "jardin", meaning "garden" is used to describe the field of inclusions usually seen in emeralds. Flawless emeralds of intense color do exist, but they are rare, usually small, and very high priced. Of all the Beryls, only emerald is usually filled with inclusions. This is blamed on the chromium that gives them their color as it blocks the stability of the crystals during growth.

It is normal for emeralds to be "oiled". Oiling is a process using colorless ( or sometimes green, then it is called dyeing) oils to fill some of the cracks usually found in these stones. The process usually involves heat and pressure and it results in a much more lovely stone. It also means that an emerald may be more delicate than it appears and care must be taken in cleaning and wearing emerald jewelry.

Lore passed down from ancient times has it that emeralds are good for the eyes and engravers used to keep a fine stone on hand to gaze into when suffering tired and strained eyes.  They are also supposed to improve memory and give eloquence of speech. Emeralds were supposed to make people more intelligent, honest, and even give them the power to predict the future.

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