Minerals, Metals, and Other Materials

Rocks and Minerals

How does the emerald get its color?

Emerald is a variety of green beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) that is colored by a trace of chromium (Cr), which replaces the aluminum (Al) in the beryl structure. Other green beryls exist; but if no chromium is present, they are, technically speaking, not emeralds.

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