Flux Grown Emerald

Flux Emerald Chemical Composition

Emeralds have been in circulation since the 1930s but no product has ever had an instant appeal like flux-grown emeralds. The emerald market reports over 600,000 carats of stones produced annually with flux growing a major contributor to that market.

Flux emeralds have several exciting physical features apart from its signature green to light blue appearance. These features and many others make flux emeralds a preferred option for jewelers, collectors, and luxury shoppers.

But do they know what flux emeralds are made of?

In this article, you’ll get an in-depth look at the chemical composition of flux emeralds before you add it to your cart. These gems have several interesting features and may be the perfect addition to your jewelry collection.

Chemical Composition of Flux Emerald

Element(s) composition: Be3Al2 (SiO3)6

Beryllium aluminum silicate, or Be3Al2 (SiO3)6, is the mixture that creates flux emeralds. Repeat tries in the late nineteenth century by chemists produced this reliable formula to form durable crystals from scratch. Some producers rely on this chemical composition to produce 15,000+ carats of precious emeralds every month.

Birefringence: 0.004 – 0.010

Flux emeralds do not possess the best birefringence range among gemstones. The .04 to .10 range means most flux emeralds cannot properly split rays into two parallel sub-rays at perpendicular angles. What this simply means is that these gemstones might not have the best dispersion or refractive index compared to CZ crystals or superior stones.

Cleavage: Imperfect, basal

The cleavage of flux emerald crystals give it an imperfect outline across its internal structure and surface. During crystallization, impurities in elements and other factors cause a complete but uneven split of molecules to give flux emeralds their signature appearance.

Pleochroism: Weak to distinct

Flux emeralds don’t have the pleochroism present in CZ color change gems, but could provide distinct hues in some variants. These gems could show different colors when you view them from different angles under bright light.

Refractive index: 1.566 – 1.600

The refractive index of flux emerald crystals is inferior to that of cubic zirconia gems, diamonds, and other precious stones. However, at 1.56 – 1.6, the crystal offers a refractive index that is good enough to glimmer under bright light.

Specific gravity: 2.67 – 2.78

Flux emeralds could be quite dense, especially when they are created with the basic steps and no inclusions to improve its structure. These emeralds have a 2.6 ~ 2.8 density and is just behind tough stones like diamonds and cubic zirconia crystals.

How to Maintain Flux Emeralds

Your flux emerald crystals could last long and give out the brilliance you seek on your adornments, glass pieces, and on other items. However, proper maintenance is the only way to ensure these gems last long. You can maintain the appearance of flux emerald crystals with these steps:

• Gently polish its surface with a dry cloth,
• Cleaning its surface with a liquid soap and water solution before rinsing and allowing to air dry,
• Storing in an airtight, cushioned container free from humidity, dust, and other elements,
• Soaking in a vinegar and baking soda solution for 10mins before cleaning and storage

Consult your jeweler for tips to keep your flux-grown gemstones in great shape. Following the advice of an experienced jeweler might be enough to preserve your flux emerald from sudden wear or permanent damage.