Beryl, a mineral found in many common gemstones, is renowned for its stunning array of colors and durability. Thanks to its exceptional beauty and hardness, this versatile mineral has captivated jewelers and collectors for centuries. From an emerald's deep green hue to aquamarine's serene blue, beryl showcases a diverse palette of colors that appeals to many tastes and styles.
Beryl is found in various geological environments, including pegmatites (large-grained igneous rocks that form when magma cools slowly and allows the crystals to grow really big), granite, metamorphic rocks, and mica schists (rocks with shiny, flaky layers that look like pages in a book). Some of the most productive beryl-bearing regions include Brazil, Colombia, Europe, Asia, China and the United States.
Characteristics of beryl gems
Hard and durable
Beryl is a relatively hard gemstone, ranking 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. (Diamonds, one of the hardest substances on the planet, rank a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale.) Beryl's hardness is due to the strong bonds between the atoms in its crystal structure, which are so tightly linked together that it’s difficult for other substances to scratch or penetrate the surface. This durability contributes to beryl's popularity as a gemstone for daily wear jewelry.
Unique crystal structure
Beryl is a mineral composed of several elements, including beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. Thanks to the unique way its silicon and oxygen atoms bond together, beryl typically forms six-sided prisms, resulting in its signature elongated shape. This structure also contributes to beryl's strength and durability.
Forms in many colors
Beryl can come in a wide variety of colors, including green (emerald), blue-green (aquamarine), pink (morganite), yellow (heliodor), red (red beryl), and even colorless (goshenite). The specific color of beryl is determined by trace elements present during its formation, making it quite a diverse gemstone.
Color-changing abilities
Yes, beryl comes in many different colors. However, certain types of beryl also feature a fascinating phenomenon called pleochroism, which allows a single gemstone to appear in two or three different colors when viewed from different angles. This occurs due to the crystal structure of beryl and the presence of trace elements within it. Depending on the angle at which light interacts with the crystal, different wavelengths of light can be absorbed or transmitted, resulting in a perceived change in color.
Beryl varieties
It would be unfair to tease you with exciting and exotic beryl varieties without doing a deeper dive into these eye-catching, vibrant stones.
- Morganite: Morganite is a pink variety of beryl that gets its color from trace amounts of manganese. It is a relatively recent discovery, first described in 1907. Due to its delicate and romantic color, it has quickly gained popularity.
- Emerald: Emeralds are the most precious variety of beryl, known for their intense green color. Even rarer than diamonds, emerald’s beloved color is caused by trace amounts of chromium. Typically found in metamorphic rocks, emeralds are most commonly found in Colombia but can also be found in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
- Aquamarine: Trace amounts of iron in beryl cause it to become Aquamarine, a blue-green variety of beryl. It is often associated with other gemstones like topaz. Aquamarine is known for its calming and soothing properties (like a reflection of the ocean or sea). It is often used in jewelry for its undeniable beauty.
- Vorobyevite: Vorobyevite, a blue beryl variety, is a rare gemstone found in Afghanistan. Despite its unique name, it's essentially a type of aquamarine with a distinctive shape and a paler blue color. Its limited availability, dull coloring, and lack of familiarity in the jewelry world ("vorobyevite" is not widely recognized in the gem trade) have resulted in a lack of commercial popularity for this beryl variety.
- Heliodor: Heliodor, also known as golden beryl, is a yellow variety of beryl that also gets its color from trace amounts of iron. The iron atoms replace some of the aluminum atoms in the beryl crystal structure, creating a yellow coloration. Heliodor is associated with the sun and is believed by some to promote confidence, creativity and personal power.
- Red beryl: Red beryl, also known as red emerald or scarlet emerald, is a rare and valuable variety of beryl that gets its color from trace amounts of manganese. It is found in a few specific locations in Utah. It is highly prized by collectors due to its unique and intense color.
- Bixbite: Named after Maynard Bixby, who discovered the rare red beryl variety in 1904, Bixbite is highly prized by collectors due to its coloring. Deriving its bold coloring from manganese and small amounts of iron and chromium, gem-quality bixbite has only been found in the Ruby Violet Mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah. It is also known as red emerald, although it is technically a distinct mineral species.
- Goshenite: Goshenite is a white or colorless variety of beryl. Discovered in Goshen, New Hampshire, goshenite was first used in glasses and lenses due to its transparency. Goshenite’s lack of color is due to its low amount of impurities compared to other beryl varieties. While goshenite can result in stunning jewelry, the more brightly colored beryl alternatives tend to be more popular for jewelry.
How to care for beryl gemstone jewelry
Generally speaking, cleaning beryl jewelry in a solution of mild dish soap and warm water is safe. Use a soft brush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials when cleaning all types of beryl. For emerald cleaning, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and heat, as this can damage the emerald gemstone.
Four little-known, colorful facts about beryl
- Aquamarine and sailors: Aquamarine was believed to protect sailors from drowning and was often worn by sailors as a good luck charm to protect them from irritable sea gods.
- Beryl’s healing properties: Beryl was widely used in ancient Egypt to make jewelry and amulets. It was believed to have healing properties and was first discovered in the Eastern Desert of Egypt around 2000–1788 B.C.
- Beryl's use in modern technology: Beryl has applications in modern technology. For example, beryllium aluminum silicate is used to produce ceramics and glass. Due to its low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity, it can also be used in electronics.
- Big beryl: The largest authenticated crystal of any type is a beryl from Madagascar. Measuring an incredible 59 feet in length and 11.5 feet in diameter, the mammoth crystal weighed approximately 837,760 pounds.
Insuring your valuable beryl jewelry
Regardless of the specific type of beryl jewelry you own, consider insuring it with a personal jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. There are benefits to insuring your jewelry with a personal jewelry insurance policy and not insuring your jewelry under a homeowners insurance policy. Check your rate for a personal jewelry insurance policy using the button below.
