
As with most gemstones the emerald can be created as the result of volcanic activity, where the extreme pressure and heat creates the gemstones. Another process knows as hydrothermal circulation, which in the most general sense is the circulation of hot water containing dissolved minerals passing through pockets in the underlying bedrock, evaporate caused the stones to cool as large crystals. Emeralds belong to the beryl family of gemstones. This family also contains aquamarine, goshenite, morganite, heliodor, quartz, ruby and red beryl to name a few. The emerald has a hardness of 7