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 crystal in pegmatite from Quadville, Ontario, Canada. Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across. |
| Morganite, a pink variety of barite from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across. |
| Cesium-bearing beryl from Madagascar. Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across. |
More from Geology.com |
 | Sunstone: a feldspar with aventurescence caused by light reflecting from platy inclusions. |
|
|
 |
 | Salt Glaciers are masses of salt that flow downslope under their own weight. |
|
|
 | What is a Maar? The second most common volcanic landscape feature on Earth. |
|
 | Minerals are the building blocks of our society. We use items made with them every day. |
|
|
 | Rocks Galleries of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock photos. |
|
|
 |
| Aquamarine, a blue-green variety of beryl from Tanzania. Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across. |
| Yellow beryl from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimens are approximately 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch (.64 centimeter to 1.6 centimeters) across. |
| Beryl from Bedford, New York. Specimen is approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) across. |
|
