that
a true emerald was ever found in Brazil, and it is supposed that green
tourmalines found there account for the " Brazilian emerald" myth. In
ancient times the name emerald was applied to green jasper,
chrysocolla, malachite, and other green minerals. There is still a
custom of calling stones other than beryl "emerald," with an
explanatory prefix. Thus, Oriental emerald is green corundum; " lithia
emerald " is hidden! te, a green mineral of the pyroxene group
occurring associated with the emerald beryl in North Carolina.
"Emerald-copper" is dioptase, the beautiful green silicate of copper.
Among the green minerals sometimes sold under the name of emerald are:
the green corundum, de-mantoids, or green garnets, hiddenite, diopside,
.alexandrite, green tourmaline, and sometimes chrysolite and dioptase.
These minerals are all of higher specific gravity than beryl and all
can be distinguished from beryl emeralds by tests possible to the
scientific gem expert.
