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Beryl - Mineral Properties and Uses

What is Beryl

Beryl is a mineral most often found in granites and grainte 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". Other gem quality beryls include: heliodore (yellow), morganite (pink) and goshenite (white).

Uses

Beryl uses include: gemstones, 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

Hardness

7.5 - 8

Specific Gravity

2.6 - 2.8

Distinguishing
Characteristics

hexagonal crystal form, green color, hardness

Crystal System

hexagonal

Chemical Classification

silicate

Chemical Composition

beryllium aluminum silicate , Be3Al2Si6O18

Beryl Pictures

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

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.

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

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

beryl
Emerald, a variety of green beryl, seen in pegmatite from Mitchell County, North Carolina.
Specimen is approximately 3 inches (10 centimeters) across.

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




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