GROWTH TECHNIQUE

Malossi synthetic emeralds are grown at about 450°C in a small rotating autoclave that is lined with gold and carefully sealed. A seed of natural yel­low beryl, suspended by a platinum wire, is used to help initiate growth. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is usually used to prevent Cr (the only chro-mophore used) from precipitating. Large crystals of the synthetic emerald can be grown in 40-60 days.