Emerald is the birthstone for May evoking the lush gardens of spring and long held as the definition of green. It is a member of the beryl family. Although emerald has a hardness of 7.5-8, it should not be subjected to tough treatment.
Emeralds by their nature are internally fractured. Although these fractures may affect their structural integrity and clarity, they give each emerald a unique appearance. These inclusions occur because of how emeralds form under the Earth. They’re unavoidable. Emerald enthusiasts will simply have to treat these gems gently.
Inclusions in emeralds are typically fracture filled with oils or epoxy to enhance their clarity, color and stability. Emerald's green color is derived from impurities of chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), or a combination of both.The purity and saturation of the green color of a beryl is what defines an emerald.