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Emeralds are one of the 4 "precious stones", a valued gemstone most often having a clear dark green color. Emeralds have long been mined in Egypt, and are also found in Pakistan.

[[Image:Emeralds.jpg‎|right|thumb|300px]] '''Emeralds''' are one of the 4 "[[precious stone]]s", a valued [[gemstone]] most often having a clear dark green color. The emerald is a variety of the [[mineral]] [[beryl]] which derives its color from [[chromium]] and [[vanadium]]. It has a hardness rating of 7.5, and Specific Gravity of: 2.65 to 2.76. These gems are often used in [[jewelry]]. Emeralds have long been mined in [[Egypt]], and are also found in [[Pakistan]] and [[Colombia]]. In the United States, emeralds have been found in [[North Carolina]].

 

Emerald is the [[birthstone]] for May. It is also the special gemstone of the [[Levi (tribe)|Levites]], one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]].