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Home » Minerals » Beryl

Beryl


Mineral Properties and Uses



What is Beryl?



Beryl is a beryllium aluminum silicate mineral most often found in granites and granite pegmatites. It can also be found in metamorphic rocks or in the veins and cavities of limestones and marbles. Beryl is the pimary ore of beryllium. Gem quality beryls with a specific deep green color are sold under the name "emerald". Different shades of green are known as "aquamarine" . Other gem quality beryls include: heliodore (yellow), morganite (pink) and goshenite (white).


Physical Properties of Beryl

Uses gemstones, is the primary ore of beryllium
Color bluish green, light yellow, golden yellow, pink, white, colorless
Streak colorless
Luster vitreous
Diaphaneity transparent to translucent
Cleavage imperfect
Mohs Hardness 7.5 - 8
Specific Gravity 2.6 - 2.8
Distinguishing Characteristics hexagonal crystal form, green color, hardness
Chemical Composition beryllium aluminum silicate , Be3Al2Si6O18
Crystal System hexagonal


Beryl pegmatite
Beryl crystal in pegmatite from Quadville, Ontario, Canada. Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.


Morganite Beryl
Morganite, a pink variety of barite from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across.


Caesium bearing Beryl
Cesium-bearing beryl from Madagascar. Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across.


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Aquamarine Beryl
Aquamarine, a blue-green variety of beryl from Tanzania. Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.




Yellow Beryl
Yellow beryl from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimens are approximately 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch (.64 centimeter to 1.6 centimeters) across.


Beryl
Beryl from Bedford, New York. Specimen is approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) across.


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