Gemstone Glossary

Beryl is actually a group of many beautiful and important gemstone varieties. Beryl in its pure form is colorless or yellow and is not widely known to the general public. But it is different impurities that give the different varieties of Beryl their varied coloration. Beryl would be a very ordinary gemstone without these magnificent color varieties.

Among the many varieties of Beryl which are used as gemstones, the most two popular are the green variety Emerald, and the transparent, blue-green variety Aquamarine. Others are Heliodor, a greenish-yellow variety; Morganite, a pink variety; and Goshenite, a colorless variety. Other varieties of beryl are simply refered to by their color, e.g: Red Beryl and Golden Beryl.

Emerald is highly prized and is one of the most valued gemstones. Its intense green color is incomparable.

Emerald's precious green color is caused by small amounts of chromium and traces of iron. Aquamarine is also a popular gem although it does not command nearly as high a price as its green cousin. Aquamarine is colored by trace amounts of iron in its crystal structure. Most gem quality Aquamarines have been heat-treated to produce the popular blue-green colors from less desirable yellow or pale stones.

Beryl minerals are predominantly composed of Beryllium Aluminum Silicate (Be3Al2(SiO3)6). Beryl is ranked 7.5-8 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness with a Specific Gravity of approximately 2.6-2.9. Beryl occurs in both transparent and translucent forms and has vitreous luster. Notable occurrences of Beryl include Colombia and some African localities for Emerald; Brazil, Russia and Pakistan for Aquamarine; California, Brazil, Africa, and many other localities for other varieties.

Beryl is worn as jewelry; used as a source of beryllium; and collected as mineral specimens.