Gemstone Education: Emeralds - Defining

Defining Emeralds

Color Classification: Emerald's defining feature is its green color, which must be sufficiently dark and saturated to meet the traditional definitions used by gemologists and gemological laboratories. The presence of chromium and sometimes vanadium contributes to the green color, distinguishing true emeralds from lighter green beryls, which may not qualify as emeralds but rather as green beryl depending on their color intensity.