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Geosciences LibreTexts

16.4.4: Vanadium Beryl

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Emerald
Chemical composition Be3Al2(SiO3)6Beryllium aluminum silicate
Crystal system Hexagonal
Habit Prismatic
Cleavage Imperfect, basal
Fracture Conchoidal to uneven
Hardness 7.5 (brittle)
Optic nature Uniaxial -
Refractive index 1.566 - 1.600
Birefringence 0.004 - 0.010
Dispersion Low, 0.014
Specific gravity 2.67 - 2.78
Lustre Vitreous
Pleochroism Weak to distinct

Figure 16.4.4.1: Brazilian vanadium emerald

There are two schools of thought concerning whether green beryl colored by vanadium should be considered an emerald. The GIA considers it to be so, Gem-A does not. Up until about 40 years ago, no one considered vanadium beryl to be an emerald, despite known deposits such as those in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Chelsea Colour Filter was developed specifically to separate emerald from vanadium beryl, as the chromium content in an emerald will make it appear red under the filter while the vanadium stones are inert.

In the early 1960s, large deposits of vanadium beryl were discovered in Brazil. Much to the frustration of the miners and dealers, the industry refused to consider this material as emerald due to its lack of chromium content. In 1963, the GIA issued its first lab report identifying vanadium colored green beryl as emerald. In their curriculum, they now teach that vanadium beryl is emerald.

However, this was not accepted by the entire industry. Whether they are or aren't still depends on to whom you are talking or on where you are doing your studies.

Vanadium emeralds tend to be less included than their chromium-colored brethren.


This page titled 16.4.4: Vanadium Beryl is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by gemology via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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