Beril

Beril, commonly known in English as beryl, is a mineral species with the chemical formula Be3Al2Si6O18 and a hexagonal crystal system. It occurs in a range of colors due to trace impurities, including colorless, green (emerald), blue (aquamarine), yellow (heliodor), pink (morganite), and red (red beryl, bixbite). The name derives from the Greek beryllos, meaning blue-green stone.

Physically, beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, a vitreous luster, and a relatively high specific gravity of about 2.63–2.92. It shows poor cleavage and a conchoidal to uneven fracture. Crystals are typically hexagonal prismatic and may be terminated by pyramidal faces; colored varieties often exhibit pleochroism.

Geology and occurrence: Beryl forms in granitic pegmatites and in certain metamorphic settings, commonly associated with quartz, feldspar, muscovite, and tourmaline. Gem-encrusted deposits are among the most important beryl occurrences worldwide. Major sources include Brazil, Colombia (emerald districts), Russia, Zambia, Namibia, the United States (notably California and North Carolina), Madagascar, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Applications and varieties: Beryl is the principal ore of beryllium, a metal with various industrial uses. Gem varieties are valued for jewelry, with emeralds and aquamarines being the best known. Emeralds are often treated with oil or resin to enhance clarity. Other well-known varieties are heliodor (yellow), morganite (pink), and red bixbite (rare). In Turkish, the mineral is called beril.