Beryl var. Emerald in Biotite-Chlorite Schist

Three prismatic crystals of Emerald measuring to 1 cm are half embedded in a plate of Biotite-Chlorite Schist from the Emerald Deposit in the Habach Valley, Salzburg State, Austria. Two vivid emerald green and one pale sea green Beryl crystals stand proud of the light greenish-grey Schist which has a bright, greenish-silver satin lustre. This deposit has been known since at least the mid sixteenth century, with the first recorded mining activity beginning in 1797. The Emerald crystals are translucent but not gemmy, as is standard for this locality. Although Emeralds from this deposit are rarely suited for cutting and faceting they do remain a European classic from this historic locality. This cabinet specimen comes with a German collector’s yellow card label.