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Minerals »
Beryl
Beryl - Mineral Properties and Uses |
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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 |
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Aquamarine, a blue-green variety of beryl from Tanzania.
Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.
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Yellow Beryl from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Specimens are approximately 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch (.64 centimeter to 1.6 centimeters) across.
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Beryl from Bedford, New York.
Specimen is approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) across.
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Beryl in Pegmatite from Quadville, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.
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Morganite, a pink variety of barite from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across.
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Emerald, a variety of green beryl, seen in pegmatite from Mitchell County, North Carolina.
Specimen is approximately 3 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Cesium-bearing beryl from Madagascar.
Specimen is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across.
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More Information About Minerals!
Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
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