Beryl Var Emerald

Fine emerald (beryl) crystal on matrix from the classic Habach Valley, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria. The specimen shows an elongated green emerald crystal embedded in a dark schistose host rock, displaying the typical prismatic habit and vitreous luster characteristic of Alpine emerald occurrences.

Emerald is the chromium- and/or vanadium-bearing green variety of beryl, a beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate. In contrast to pegmatitic beryl varieties, emerald from the Habach Valley formed in a metamorphic environment, where beryllium-bearing fluids interacted with chromium-rich host rocks during Alpine metamorphism.

The Habach Valley is one of the few classic emerald localities in Europe, known since medieval times. Although the crystals are generally small, the locality is highly regarded for its historical importance and for producing emeralds in true Alpine metamorphic paragenesis rather than pegmatitic settings.

Emerald from Habach is considered uncommon, and well-defined crystals on matrix are especially sought after by collectors focusing on Alpine localities and beryl species. The mineral is stable under normal collection conditions.

Typical associated minerals in the Habach Valley include quartz, phlogopite, actinolite, talc, albite, and other metamorphic silicates characteristic of the emerald-bearing schists.