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Green beryl is a light green gemstone from the beryl family, characterized by pastel green, yellow-green, or blue-green hues, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making it durable for jewelry. Unlike emerald, which gets its color from chromium and vanadium, green beryl's color is typically caused by iron, and its saturation is not dark or intense enough to be classified as an emerald.

Chemical composition and properties

• Mineral family: Beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate)

• Color: Pastel shades of green, yellow-green, or blue-green

• Cause of color: Trace amounts of iron

• Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale

• Refractive index: 1.577–1.583

• Specific gravity: 2.72

• Cuts: Available in a variety of cuts and calibrated sizes

Distinguishing from emerald

• Emerald: Requires a deep, vibrant green color from chromium and vanadium.

• Green beryl: Lacks the saturation to be called an emerald and its color is usually from iron. While some green beryl can contain chromium or vanadium, it's the lack of dark, rich saturation that distinguishes it from emerald.

Other characteristics

• It is often referred to as "water emerald" due to its similarity in mineral structure to aquamarine.

• Some bluish-green specimens are sometimes heated to become aquamarine to remove the green tint.

• It is widely available and can be found in locations such as Brazil, Mozambique, Zambia, and Nigeria.

• Due to its hardness and durability, it is well-suited for use in jewelry.