Emeralds also break under applications of heat and should never be in a ring that is soldered. Under ultraviolet light they may fluoresce lightly, orange-ish red to red, or they may be inert.
Emeralds come from a number of sources. The best come from Colombia. These are the purest colored and generally the finest stones. The emeralds from Brazil are lighter, have more inclusions and are generally smaller than from other areas. Zambia, Africa, produces some bluish stones and some near-Colombian stones. Zimbabwe is home to a particular emerald known as the sandawana emerald which is generally small with a rich green color. Anything over 1/3 carat is rare.
South Africa produces some low-quality emeralds. Tanzania produces a few very good quality emeralds. Pakistan has just discovered some high-quality emeralds. Afghanistan tends to produce flawed but good colored emeralds. Russia does produce emeralds but doesn't like to let them out of the country.[1] Australia produces some dubious quality emeralds and North Carolina a few gems. Austria and India occasionally produce emeralds.
Emeralds are not unusual as the word emerald simply indicates an extremely nice version of a fairly common stone known as beryl. It is possible to buy something legitimately called an emerald for about $5 a carat. Obviously this is full of flaws, not transparent and so impure in color it looks more like jade than an emerald. They would never be sold in a jewelry store but emeralds do sell on TV and some of the better magazines for $5 per carat.
Gem quality emeralds range anywhere from $400 to $20,000 a carat, depending upon their quality. As the stones get larger, they become increasingly rare and sell for considerably more money.
[1] This is dated; I do not know the exact laws as of today.
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