Collecting Bold, Beautiful Beryls
Beryls [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] are hexagonal crystals composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. Beryls are transparent to translucent, with vitreous luster – though their crystals are often pitted and rough, with heavy striation.
A Colombian Emerald - while many people are familiar with the beauty of cut gemstones, they rarely have the chance to see the beauty of these natural art pieces.
In their pure form, beryls appear colorless – though their unique structure and composure enable them to store various trace impurities. These impurities are responsible for the diverse and colorful variety of beryls discovered – in fact, many of the gemstones we think of as separate entities actually exist within the beryl family. Most colors are associated with their own common name, as follows:
Bixbite
The rarest of beryls, deep red bixbite is found in only two locales – both located in Utah. It's rich sanguine color is attributed to association with manganese (Mn3).
Bixbite
The rarest of beryls, deep red bixbite is found in only two locales – both located in Utah. It's rich sanguine color is attributed to association with manganese (Mn3).
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Heliodor
Colored by association with both iron and uranium, heliodor can vary greatly in color due to the precise combinations of these minerals. From a pale, lemon yellow to brown, and all shades of golden and orange between, heliodor is also sometimes referred to as “golden beryl” - and can even include light green tinting.
This heliodor is one of the world's best examples of the species. Joe Budd Photo.
Emerald
A popular gemstone with a deep, intense green coloring formed by exposure to vanadium or chrome. Emeralds are considered a precious and valuable gemstone, whose small inclusions and fissures add interest to its form.
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Aquamarine
One of the most prevalent types of beryls, this gorgeous gemstone gains its beautiful blue coloring from iron, and can range from light sky blue to a beautiful marine blue – hence its name. It's uniform coloring and hardness make it ideal for use in jewelry.
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Morganite
Ranging from light pink to pale violet, this beryl is colored by manganese (Mn2). Formerly known simply as “pink beryl” this gemstone was given its own name to honor finance expert and gem enthusiast J.P. Morgan.
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Goshenite
This beryl appears as either a white or colorless stone. Named for its original locality in Goshen, in Massachusetts, goshenite holds more historical significance than value as a gemstone, as it was originally used as a material for making the lenses of eyeglasses and spectacles.
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Beryls have a specific gravity of 2.63-2.91, and a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0, which makes them ideal for use in jewelry-making. Their durability and vivid, varied coloring make them a favorite amongst designers and gemologists.
To view more examples of this bold, beautiful gemstone, visit the links above – or take a look at this exciting array of bi-colored Pakistani beryls recently acquired by The Arkenstone, here.">
Heliodor
Colored by association with both iron and uranium, heliodor can vary greatly in color due to the precise combinations of these minerals. From a pale, lemon yellow to brown, and all shades of golden and orange between, heliodor is also sometimes referred to as “golden beryl” - and can even include light green tinting.
Emerald
A popular gemstone with a deep, intense green coloring formed by exposure to vanadium or chrome. Emeralds are considered a precious and valuable gemstone, whose small inclusions and fissures add interest to its form.
Please join us in Dallas for the 2013 Dallas Mineral Collector Symposium. This year, the Symposium will be held on August 23-24 and will include a Friday night cocktail party at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science followed by the Saturday Symposium featuring internationally recognized experts in mineral collecting and geology.
Guest speakers this year include:
The Pederneira Mine
Daniel Trinchillo
Biography
Mining Malachite and Carrollite in the Congo
Brice Gobin
Biography
40 Years at the Himalaya Mine
Bill Larson
Biography
Analytical Techniques on Earth and Mars
Dr. Robert Downs
Biography
Mindat and Its Uses
Jolyon Ralph
Biography
Treasures from my Collections, and Changes in Mineral Collecting over 60 Years
Dave Wilber
Biography
Collecting the Best – Ikons and the Ikons Book
Wayne Thompson
Biography
Russian Gem Mines
Dr. Peter Lyckberg
Biography
Registration is currently open online. Please visit the website to register.
[button link="http://www.dallassymposium.org" size="large" color="#7FA295" window="yes"]Visit to DallasSymposium.org[/button]
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Aquamarine
One of the most prevalent types of beryls, this gorgeous gemstone gains its beautiful blue coloring from iron, and can range from light sky blue to a beautiful marine blue – hence its name. It's uniform coloring and hardness make it ideal for use in jewelry.
The Lindsay Greenbank CollectionClassic Minerals of Northern England
View the E-Book Here
The History of Arkenstone
- View - American Mineral Treasures - the most important recent text on mineral collecting in the USA
The Arkenstone pioneered one of the first websites dedicated to mineral sales
The Arkenstone Tackles China">
Morganite
Ranging from light pink to pale violet, this beryl is colored by manganese (Mn2). Formerly known simply as “pink beryl” this gemstone was given its own name to honor finance expert and gem enthusiast J.P. Morgan.
Goshenite
This beryl appears as either a white or colorless stone. Named for its original locality in Goshen, in Massachusetts, goshenite holds more historical significance than value as a gemstone, as it was originally used as a material for making the lenses of eyeglasses and spectacles.
Beryls have a specific gravity of 2.63-2.91, and a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0, which makes them ideal for use in jewelry-making. Their durability and vivid, varied coloring make them a favorite amongst designers and gemologists.
To view more examples of this bold, beautiful gemstone, visit the links above – or take a look at this exciting array of bi-colored Pakistani beryls recently acquired by The Arkenstone, here.
If you haven't decided on your favorite variety of beryl yet, check the Beryl Gallery!