Emerald is the green gemstone variety of the mineral Beryl (the blue variety of the mineral Beryl is Aquamarine). Beryl is beryllium aluminum silicate, with the known chemical composition of Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈.

Emerald crystals are hexagonal in nature. Large Emerald deposits are currently mined in Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia. Emeralds are mined throughout the world (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Australia, United States) but these are the three major sources. The Zambian and Brazilian Emeralds may be colored due to the presence of vanadium, whereas Colombian Emeralds usually achieve their coloration from the presence of chromium.

Emeralds have been treasured as adornments in the form of jewelry for centuries. Emeralds are at least twenty times more rare than diamonds, but in the finest grades sell for approximately the same per-carat price as diamonds. Emeralds are readily available in lesser grades and even very large sizes, but are exceedingly rare in fine grades in any size.

Widely recognized as the Birthstone for May and Astrological affiliation with Cancer (June 22 – July 22), Emerald is also the celebrated gemstone of choice for 20th and 35th Wedding Anniversary. The Emerald continues to be one of the most popular of precious gemstones, rivaling Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires.