Beryl
About
Beryl is a beryllium aluminium silicate mineral that forms in hexagonal crystals and comes in a variety of colours. Its most famous gem varieties include emerald (green), aquamarine (blue), morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow), and goshenite (colourless). Known for its high hardness and brilliance, beryl has been used for centuries in jewellery and ornamental carvings. Major sources include Brazil, Colombia, Madagascar, and Pakistan.
Birthstones & Anniversaries
Beryl itself is not a traditional birthstone, but its varieties have birthstone associations:
Emerald (May)
Aquamarine (March)
Crystal Healing Energy
The overarching theme of beryl is clarity and transformation. Different colours of beryl are associated with different energies, but as a whole, beryl is thought to encourage focus, reduce stress, and promote self-confidence. It is often used for emotional healing, spiritual insight, and boosting energy flow.
Facts
Multiple Gem Varieties: Beryl occurs in various colours, with emerald and aquamarine being the most well-known.
Historical Significance: Emeralds were favoured by Cleopatra (although many were actually peridot!), while aquamarine was used by sailors as a protective talisman.
Durability: With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, beryl is relatively hard but can be brittle, especially emeralds.
Rare Red Beryl: Also known as bixbite, red beryl is one of the rarest gemstones, found only in Utah, USA.
Geological Formation: Beryl forms in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks, often alongside quartz and feldspar.
Science
Mineral: Beryl
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Chemistry: Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
Colour: Green, blue, pink, yellow, colourless, and rare red
Refractive Index: 1.564 to 1.602
Birefringence: 0.004 to 0.008
Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.91
Mohs Hardness: 7.5 to 8
TreatmentsSome beryl varieties undergo treatment to enhance their colour and clarity:
Emerald: Commonly oiled to reduce the visibility of fractures.
Aquamarine: Often heat-treated to remove greenish tones and intensify the blue.
Morganite: Occasionally heat-treated to deepen pink tones.
SyntheticsSynthetic beryl exists and is grown using hydrothermal and flux methods. Synthetic emerald is the most common, as natural emeralds often contain inclusions, making synthetic versions a more affordable alternative.
ImitationsBeryl imitations include:
Glass: Often used to mimic aquamarine, emerald, or morganite.
Synthetic Spinel or Sapphire: Used to imitate aquamarine or emerald due to their similar hues.
Green Glass or Doublets: Used to imitate emerald by bonding green glass to natural quartz or beryl.
similar materialsTopaz: Blue topaz is often mistaken for aquamarine, but it has a higher refractive index.
Tourmaline: Green and blue tourmaline can resemble emerald or aquamarine but has a different pleochroic effect.
Zircon: Blue zircon can be confused with aquamarine but is denser and has higher brilliance.
Varieties of Beryl
