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Beryl

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Bret Howard
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About BerylHide

Formula:
Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Colour:
Colorless, green, blue, yellow, white, pink, etc.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
7½ - 8
Specific Gravity:
2.63 - 2.92
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Possibly from the Greek "beryllos" which referred to a number of blue-green stones in antiquity.
May be confused with apatite.

The largest beryl crystal reported was 18 m long and 3.5 m wide from Malakialina, Madagascar, but in the absence of anything more than a personal communication, the report is doubtful.

Microporous beryl (and cordierite) may contain some molecular N2 (Bebout et al., 2006).

Cordierite and (especially) its HT-polymorph indialite are somewhat structurally similar to beryl. As of April 2023 there's a new link between the two, in the form of beryllocordierite-Na and beryllosachanbińskiite-Na, which suggests a possible merge of the two "families" of compounds.




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
819
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:819:6

IMA Classification of BerylHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

Classification of BerylHide

9.CJ.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
61.1.1.1

61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
16.6.1

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
6 : Aluminosilicates of Be

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BrlIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
BrlKretz (1983)Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
BrlSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
BrlWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
BrlThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Pronunciation of BerylHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of BerylHide

Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
Colour:
Colorless, green, blue, yellow, white, pink, etc.
Comment:
green (Cr3+, ±V3+; emerald) to yellow (Fe2+; heliodor), light blue (Fe3+; aquamarine), sea-green (Fe2+ and Fe3+; beryl), pink (Mn2+; morganite), red (Mn3+; red beryl), colorless (goshenite), and white.


The d–d transition of Fe3+ with six-fold coordination, the O2−→Fe3+ charge transfer, and the charge transition of binuclear metal M–M complexes formed by [Fe2(OH)4]2+ in the channel caused a yellow tone, whereas the charge transfer of Fe2+/Fe3+ with six-fold coordination caused a blue-green tone. The chroma of blue-green beryl was negatively correlated with the ratio of Cs+Mn to Fe contents. The lightness of blue-green beryl was negatively correlated with the total content of transition metal ions.

The experimental results indicate that heat treatment under both atmospheres can lead to the transformation of yellow-green beryl into blue, with 500–600 °C under a reducing atmosphere identified as the optimal treatment condition. With increasing temperature, beryl gradually dehydrates, resulting in a faded blue color and reduced transparency. Even after treatment at 700 °C, no significant changes in unit cell parameters were observed, and both type I and type II water were retained, indicating that the color change is not attributed to crystal structure transformation or phase transitions. The study reveals that the essential mechanism of color modification through heat treatment lies in the valence change between Fe2+ and Fe3+ occupying channel and octahedral sites. The observed color variation is attributed to changes in absorption band intensity resulting from charge transfers of O2− → Fe3+ and Fe2+ → Fe3+.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7½ - 8 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
{0001}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.63 - 2.92 g/cm3 (Measured)    

Optical Data of BerylHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.568 - 1.602 nε = 1.564 - 1.595
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004 - 0.007
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.

Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).

This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.

Chemistry of BerylHide

Mindat Formula:
Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O53.579 %
Si31.351 %
Al10.040 %
Be5.030 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Mg,Ca,Cr,Na,Li,Cs,O,H,OH,H2O,K,Rb

Chemical AnalysisHide

Oxide wt%:
 1234567
SiO264.56 %66.6 %67.7 %63.66 %63.94 %66.00 %76.48 %
Al2O317.31 %17.8 %15.57 %20.89 %20.98 %19.34 %22.36 %
Fe2O30.07 %0.29 %0.83 %2.04 %2.04 %
FeO0.66 %0.86 %0.79 %
BeO11.64 %13.6 %13.16 %12.49 %10.08 %10.75 %
CaO0.25 %0.26 %0.12 %0.01 %0.06 %
MgO0.04 %0.07 %0.11 %
Na2O1.66 %0.30 %0.45 %0.24 %0.32 %0.04 %
K2O0.08 %0.06 %0.05 %0.09 %0.03 %
P2O50.01 %0.01 %
Li2O0.63 %0.09 %
Cs2O0.89 %0.03 %
Rb2O0.09 %0.06 %
Fe2O3(t)1.10 %
MnO0.01 %0.02 %0.02 %
H2O+0.74 %1.15 %0.59 %
H2O-0.38 %0.47 %
TiO20.03 %
V2O30.07 %
Cr2O30.04 %
BaO0.15 %
CuO0.01 %
Total:97.89 %99.73 %98.51 %99.3 %99.09 %98.84 %99.96 %
Empirical formulas:
Sample IDEmpirical Formula
4(Be2.77Al0.12Fe0.05) ?2.94Al2.00(Si5.86Al0.14)? 6.00O18Na0.04K0.01
5(Be2.27Al0.23Fe0.43) ?2.93Al2.00Si6.00O18Na0.05K0.01
6(Be2.39Al0.11Fe0.14 Si0.11) ?2.75Al2.00Si6.00O18Na0.01
Sample references:
IDLocalityReferenceNotes
1Marlagalla-Allapatna, Mandya District, Karnataka, IndiaChemical analysis of a white alkali-rich beryl from a pegmatite.
2Kawadgaon-Challanpara pegmatite field, Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh, IndiaAnalysis of beryl from granite pegmatite. EMPA analysis
3Marlagalla-Allapatna, Mandya District, Karnataka, IndiaChemical analysis of a light green beryl from a pegmatite.
4Birch Portage pegmatites, Jan Lake, Saskatchewan, CanadaYellow beryl: Analysed by a combination of methods: X-ray fluorescence (major elements) Flame photometry (alkalis) Wet chemical analysis (BeO, separations) X-ray diffraction (structural parameters)
5  "  "Green beryl: Analysed by a combination of methods: X-ray fluorescence (major elements) Flame photometry (alkalis) Wet chemical analysis (BeO, separations) X-ray diffraction (structural parameters)
6  "  "Blue beryl Analysed by a combination of methods: X-ray fluorescence (major elements) Flame photometry (alkalis) Wet chemical analysis (BeO, separations) X-ray diffraction (structural parameters)
7NigeriaX-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Reference did not determine Be.

Crystallography of BerylHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6/mcc
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.21 Å, c = 9.19 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.998
Unit Cell V:
675.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Observed ranges: a = 9.205-9.274, c = 9.187-9.249 Å.

Crystallographic forms of BerylHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Beryl no.12 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Beryl no.23 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Beryl no.24 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Beryl no.32 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Beryl no.98 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
View 3D crystal model
Beryl - Tabular {001}
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012414BerylYakubivich O V, Pekov I V, Steele I M, Massa W, Chukanov N V (2009) Alkali metals in beryl and their role in the formation of derivative structural motifs: Comparative crystal chemistry of vorobyevite and pezzottaite Crystallography Reports 54 399-4122009Lipovka pegmatite field, Rezh District, Central Urals, Urals Region, Russia0293
0019166BerylAdamo I, Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Diella V, Pavese A (2008) Gemmological investigation of a synthetic blue beryl: a multi-methodological study Mineralogical Magazine 72 799-8082008synthetic0293
0019165BerylAdamo I, Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Diella V, Pavese A (2008) Gemmological investigation of a synthetic blue beryl: a multi-methodological study Mineralogical Magazine 72 799-8082008synthetic0293
0019164BerylAdamo I, Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Diella V, Pavese A (2008) Gemmological investigation of a synthetic blue beryl: a multi-methodological study Mineralogical Magazine 72 799-8082008synthetic0293
0003994BerylGatta G D, Nestola F, Bromiley G D, Mattauch S (2006) The real topological configuration of the extra-framework content in alkali-poor beryl: a multi-methodological study American Mineralogist 91 29-342006Shengus, Haramosh Mts, Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan0293
0005261BerylSherriff B L, Grundy H D, Hartman J S, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (1991) The incorporation of alkalis in beryl: multi-nuclear MAS NMR and crystal-structure study The Canadian Mineralogist 29 271-2851991Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada0293
0005260BerylSherriff B L, Grundy H D, Hartman J S, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (1991) The incorporation of alkalis in beryl: multi-nuclear MAS NMR and crystal-structure study The Canadian Mineralogist 29 271-2851991Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada0293
0005259BerylSherriff B L, Grundy H D, Hartman J S, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (1991) The incorporation of alkalis in beryl: multi-nuclear MAS NMR and crystal-structure study The Canadian Mineralogist 29 271-2851991Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada0293
0005258BerylSherriff B L, Grundy H D, Hartman J S, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (1991) The incorporation of alkalis in beryl: multi-nuclear MAS NMR and crystal-structure study The Canadian Mineralogist 29 271-2851991SHEE-1 pegmatite dike, eastern end of Shatford Lake, southeastern Manitoba, Canada0293
0001186BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988synthetic, flux-fusion0293
0001185BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988synthetic, flux-fusion0293
0001184BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Salinas mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil0293
0001183BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Mawi mine, Nuristan, Afghanistan0293
0001182BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Salinas mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil0293
0001181BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Fort Victoria field, Zimbabwe0293
0001180BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Ural Mountains, Russia0293
0001179BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Karoi, Miami district, Zimbabwe0293
0001178BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Violet Claims, Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County, Utah, USA0293
0001177BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Violet Claims, Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County, Utah, USA0293
0001176BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Morrua, Zambesia0293
0001175BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Mohave county, Arizona, USA0293
0001174BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Calcaferro mine, Pietrasanta, Tuscany, Italy0293
0001173BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Calcaferro mine, Pietrasanta, Tuscany, Italy0293
0001172BerylAurisicchio C, Fioravanti G, Grubessi O, Zanazzi P F (1988) Reappraisal of the crystal chemistry of beryl American Mineralogist 73 826-8371988Mount Cervandone, Val d'Ossola, Piedmont, Italy0293
0019469BerylGibbs G V, Breck D W, Meagher E P (1968) Structural refinement of hydrous and anhydrous synthetic beryl, Al2(Be3Si6)O18 and emerald, Al1.9Cr0.1(Be3Si6)O18 Lithos 1 275-2851968synthetic0293
0019468BerylGibbs G V, Breck D W, Meagher E P (1968) Structural refinement of hydrous and anhydrous synthetic beryl, Al2(Be3Si6)O18 and emerald, Al1.9Cr0.1(Be3Si6)O18 Lithos 1 275-2851968synthetic0293
0019467BerylGibbs G V, Breck D W, Meagher E P (1968) Structural refinement of hydrous and anhydrous synthetic beryl, Al2(Be3Si6)O18 and emerald, Al1.9Cr0.1(Be3Si6)O18 Lithos 1 275-2851968synthetic0293
0019466BerylGibbs G V, Breck D W, Meagher E P (1968) Structural refinement of hydrous and anhydrous synthetic beryl, Al2(Be3Si6)O18 and emerald, Al1.9Cr0.1(Be3Si6)O18 Lithos 1 275-2851968synthetic0293
0001606BerylArtioli G, Rinaldi R, Stahl K, Zanazzi P F (1993) Structure refinements of beryl by single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 78 762-76819930295
0001605BerylArtioli G, Rinaldi R, Stahl K, Zanazzi P F (1993) Structure refinements of beryl by single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 78 762-76819930295
0001604BerylArtioli G, Rinaldi R, Stahl K, Zanazzi P F (1993) Structure refinements of beryl by single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 78 762-76819930295
0001603BerylArtioli G, Rinaldi R, Stahl K, Zanazzi P F (1993) Structure refinements of beryl by single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 78 762-76819930295
0001043BerylHazen R M, Au A Y, Finger L W (1986) High-pressure crystal chemistry of beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) and euclase (BeAlSiO4OH) American Mineralogist 71 977-98419860293
0001042BerylHazen R M, Au A Y, Finger L W (1986) High-pressure crystal chemistry of beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) and euclase (BeAlSiO4OH) American Mineralogist 71 977-98419860293
0001041BerylHazen R M, Au A Y, Finger L W (1986) High-pressure crystal chemistry of beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) and euclase (BeAlSiO4OH) American Mineralogist 71 977-98419860293
0001040BerylHazen R M, Au A Y, Finger L W (1986) High-pressure crystal chemistry of beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) and euclase (BeAlSiO4OH) American Mineralogist 71 977-98419860293
0001014BerylBrown G E, Mills B A (1986) High-temperature structure and crystal chemistry of hydrous alkali-rich beryl from the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mexico American Mineralogist 71 547-55619860293
0001013BerylBrown G E, Mills B A (1986) High-temperature structure and crystal chemistry of hydrous alkali-rich beryl from the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mexico American Mineralogist 71 547-55619860293
0001012BerylBrown G E, Mills B A (1986) High-temperature structure and crystal chemistry of hydrous alkali-rich beryl from the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mexico American Mineralogist 71 547-55619860293
0001011BerylBrown G E, Mills B A (1986) High-temperature structure and crystal chemistry of hydrous alkali-rich beryl from the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mexico O2x has been corrected American Mineralogist 71 547-55619860293
0005142BerylHawthorne F C, Cerny P (1977) The alkali-metal positions in Cs-Li beryl The Canadian Mineralogist 15 414-42119770293
0011165BerylWyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Hexagonal closest packed, hcp, structure Crystal Structures 1 7-8319630293
0017446BerylBragg W (1926) The structure of beryl, Be3Al2Si6O18 _cod_database_code 1010541 Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A111 691-71419260293
0001602BerylArtioli G, Rinaldi R, Stahl K, Zanazzi P F (1993) Structure refinements of beryl by single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction American Mineralogist 78 762-7681993030
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.98 Å(90)
4.60 Å(50)
3.99 Å(50)
3.25 Å(100)
3.01 Å(40)
2.87 Å(100)
2.52 Å(30)
1.99 Å(20)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust>4.4-3.0
19 : Granitic intrusive rocks
20 : Acidic volcanic rocks
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics<3.5-2.5
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies)
Geological Setting:
Commonly found in pegmatites. Red beryl is found in topaz rhyolites.

Synonyms of BerylHide

Other Language Names for BerylHide

Basque:Berilo
Bishnupriya Manipuri:বেরিলো
Bosnian:Beril
Bulgarian:Берил
Croatian:Beril
Czech:Beryl
Dutch:Beryl
Finnish:Berylli
French:Béryl
Galician:Berilo
Hebrew:בריל
Hungarian:Berill
Italian:Berillo
Japanese:緑柱石
Latin:Beryllus
Latvian:Berils
Lithuanian:Berilas
Low Saxon/Low German:Beryll
Malagasy:Berila
Polish:Beryl
Portuguese:Berilo
Romanian:Beril
Russian:Берилл
Serbian:Берил
Simplified Chinese:绿柱石
绿色绿宝石
Slovak:Beryl
Swedish:Beryll
Traditional Chinese:綠柱石
Turkish:Beril
Ukrainian:Берил
Wolof:Beril

Varieties of BerylHide

AeroidesA pale blue gem beryl.
Alkali-berylVariety of beryl high in alkalis (Li2O to 2%, Na2O to 4%, K2O to 2%, Rb2O to 1.3% and Cs2O to 4.6%)

See also:
Caesium beryl;
Rosterite;
Vorobyevite.
Améthiste Basaltine (of Egleston)Violet beryl.
AquamarineA sky-blue to sea-green gem variety of beryl. It is mainly associated with granitic pegmatites.
Blue Beryl (Maxixe)A pleochroic light-sensitive variety containing 2.8% Cs2O and 1% Li2O - however the colour is caused by [CO3]- chromophore centers. See the section on chromophores on the calcium page for more information.

Originally reported from Maxixe Mine, Piauí Val...
Caesium BerylThe term 'caesium beryl' refers to a caesium-bearing beryl. The names vorobyevite and rosterite have both been used to refer to such material, however the use of these names should be discouraged.

DavidsoniteA greenish-yellow variety of beryl.
EmeraldA green gem variety of beryl, highly sought after as a precious gemstone. The majority of the world's gem-quality emeralds come from the Muzo area of Colombia.

The colour of emerald is caused by trace amounts of a chromophore such as trivalent chromium ...
GosheniteAn almost colourless variety of beryl.

Originally described from Barrus Farm locality, Goshen, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, USA.
HeliodorA golden yellow gem variety of beryl.

Originally reported from both "Hoffnungstrahl"-Pegmatite near Rössing station, Arandis, Arandis District, Erongo Region, Namibia and Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USA.

NOTE: "Heliodor" has been reported from sever...
MorganiteA pink gem variety of beryl.
PacheaA dark green chromium-rich gem variety of beryl.
RaspberylA marketing term for a raspberry-red beryl, also used for some raspberry-red pezzottaite (cesium beryl) crystals from Madagascar. Note that there is no relationship between the raspberry-red colour and the cesium content, i.e. a raspberry-red beryl can be...
Red BerylA gooseberry-red variety of beryl.

Originally described from Maynard's Claim (Pismire Knolls), Thomas Range, Juab Co., Utah, USA.
Riesling BerylOriginally discovered in Germany in the 1850s, a leek-green (grape) coloured gem variety of Beryl. The exact locality is unknown.
RosteriteAn alkali beryl from San Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy.

Described as a new species by Grattarola (1880). Discredited by Zambonini and Caglioti (1928) and recognised as an alkali beryl with 0.4% Li2O, 4.2% Na2O, 2.25% K2O and 0.9% Cs2O.

Similar to vorobyev...
Trapiche emeraldVariety showing six-spoked growth features.

Such "trapiche" formations are also known for other minerals (trapiche tourmaline, trapiche ruby).
Vanadium-bearing berylRecently, a vanadium-bearing beryl of Nigerian origin with a distinctive green (blue-green) color has emerged within the international jewelry market. Initially misidentified as African Paraiba blue-green tourmaline due to its similar color and luster, it...

Relationship of Beryl to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Beryl Group:
BazziteBe3Sc2(Si6O18)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
Johnkoivulaite-(Cs)Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
Pezzottaite-(Cs)Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18)Trig. 3 : R3
StoppaniiteBe3Fe3+2(Si6O18) · H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1,041 photos of Beryl associated with QuartzSiO2
732 photos of Beryl associated with MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
594 photos of Beryl associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
321 photos of Beryl associated with SchorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
215 photos of Beryl associated with MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
123 photos of Beryl associated with 'Smoky Quartz'SiO2
123 photos of Beryl associated with FluoriteCaF2
115 photos of Beryl associated with 'Cleavelandite'Na(AlSi3O8)
94 photos of Beryl associated with Feldspar Group
91 photos of Beryl associated with ElbaiteNa(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.CJ.ZolotareviteNa5Zr[Si6O15(OH)3] · 3H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CJ.'Avdeevite'NaAl4(Be5Li)(Si6O18)2(H2O)1-2Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
9.CJ.'Beryllocordierite-Na'NaMg4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
9.CJ.SachanbińskiiteNaMn4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
9.CJ.NakkaalaaqiteK2[Na3Ca]LiCa2Ti2Be4Si12O38Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fddd
9.CJ.05Johnkoivulaite-(Cs)Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CJ.05BazziteBe3Sc2(Si6O18)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CJ.05Ferroindialite(Fe2+,Mg)2Al4Si5O18Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CJ.05 va'Vorobyevite'Be3Al2(Si6O18)
9.CJ.05StoppaniiteBe3Fe3+2(Si6O18) · H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CJ.05IndialiteMg2Al3(AlSi5O18)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CJ.10SekaninaiteFe2+2Al4Si5O18Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
9.CJ.10CordieriteMg2Al4Si5O18Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
9.CJ.15aZirsinaliteNa6(Ca,Mn2+,Fe2+)Zr(Si6O18)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CJ.15aKapustiniteNa6ZrSi6O16(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.CJ.15aTownenditeNa8ZrSi6O18Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CJ.15aCombeiteNa4.5Ca3.5Si6O17.5(OH)0.5Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CJ.15aKazakoviteNa6Mn2+Ti(Si6O18)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CJ.15aTisinaliteNa3H3(Mn,Ca,Fe)TiSi6(O,OH)18 · 2H2OTrig. 3m(32/m)
9.CJ.15aLovozeriteNa2Ca(Zr,Ti)(Si6O12)[(OH)4O2] · H2OTrig. 3 : R3
9.CJ.15aLitvinskiteNa2(◻,Na,Mn)ZrSi6O12(OH,O)6Mon. m : Bm
9.CJ.15cKoashviteNa6(Ca,Mn)(Ti,Fe)Si6O18 · H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.CJ.15bImandriteNa12Ca3Fe3+2(Si6O18)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.CJ.25BaratoviteKCa7(Ti,Zr)2Li3Si12O36F2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.CJ.25AleksandroviteKCa7Sn2Li3Si12O36F2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.CJ.25KatayamaliteKLi3Ca7Ti2(SiO3)12(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.CJ.30DioptaseCuSiO3 · H2OTrig. 3 : R3
9.CJ.35KostyleviteK2Zr(Si3O9) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.CJ.40PetarasiteNa5Zr2(Si6O18)(Cl,OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.CJ.45Gerenite-(Y)(Ca,Na)2(Y,REE)3Si6O18 · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.CJ.50OdintsoviteK2Na4Ca3Ti2Be4Si12O38Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fddd
9.CJ.55MathewrogersitePb7FeAl3GeSi12O36(OH,H2O)6Trig.
9.CJ.60Pezzottaite-(Cs)Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18)Trig. 3 : R3

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Beryl in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Internet Links for BerylHide

References for BerylHide

Reference List:

Localities for BerylHide

Showing 7,135 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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