Beryl
Beryl species including emerald, aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, goshenite, and red beryl with properties, inclusions, and treatments.
Introduction
Beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) is a beryllium aluminium silicate that produces several
important gem varieties. Emerald and aquamarine are the most significant, but
morganite, heliodor, and red beryl also have strong market positions.
Despite sharing the same basic chemistry and structure, beryl varieties differ
dramatically in value based on colour, clarity, and origin.
Mineralogy
Crystal System and Structure
- Crystal system: Hexagonal
- Chemical formula: Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
- Habit: Hexagonal prisms, often elongated
- Cleavage: Imperfect basal (rarely seen)
- Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 7.5-8 Mohs |
| Specific gravity | 2.67-2.78 |
| Refractive index | 1.577-1.583 |
| Birefringence | 0.005-0.009 |
| Optic character | Uniaxial negative |
| Pleochroism | Weak to distinct (varies by variety) |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
Emerald
Emerald is the green variety of beryl, coloured by chromium and/or vanadium.
It is one of the "big three" coloured stones alongside ruby and sapphire.
Colour and Chromophores
- Primary chromophore: Chromium (Cr³⁺)
- Secondary: Vanadium (V³⁺) in some sources
- Iron influence: Can modify towards bluish-green
- Ideal colour: Vivid, medium-dark green without excessive blue
Some authorities require chromium for true emerald designation, while
others accept vanadium-coloured green beryl as emerald.
Major Sources
| Origin | Characteristics | Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia (Muzo) | Pure green, three-phase inclusions | Highest premiums |
| Colombia (Chivor) | Slightly bluish, often cleaner | High value |
| Zambia | Bluish-green, better clarity | Second largest producer |
| Brazil | Variable quality, often lighter | Significant volume |
| Ethiopia | Good colour, often more transparent | Emerging source |
| Afghanistan | Fine colour, historical source | Limited production |
The Jardín
Emeralds are expected to have inclusions—the French word "jardín" (garden)
describes the typical internal landscape:
- Inclusions are more accepted than in other gems
- "Eye-clean" emeralds command significant premiums
- Heavy inclusions can affect durability
- Inclusions help confirm natural origin
Colombian Emerald Signature
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, coloured by iron.
It is the most widely available beryl variety.
Colour Characteristics
- Chromophore: Iron (Fe²⁺)
- Colour range: Light blue to blue-green to greenish-blue
- Most valued: Medium-dark saturated blue (Santa Maria type)
- Pleochroism: Weak (colourless to pale blue)
Most aquamarines are heat-treated to reduce green and enhance blue.
Major Sources
| Origin | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Brazil | Major producer; Santa Maria denotes fine colour |
| Nigeria | Deep blue colours possible |
| Madagascar | Good quality material |
| Pakistan | Fine crystals from Gilgit |
| Mozambique | Santa Maria type colours |
Market Notes
- Large sizes readily available (unlike emerald)
- Generally eye-clean
- Heat treatment routine and accepted
- Value increases with saturation and blue hue
Other Beryl Varieties
Morganite
Pink to peach beryl, coloured by manganese:
- Colour cause: Manganese (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺)
- Range: Light pink to peach to salmon
- Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan
- Treatment: Often heated to remove yellow component
- Market: Increasingly popular in fine jewellery
Heliodor
Goshenite
Red Beryl Rarity
Characteristic Inclusions
| Variety | Typical Inclusions |
|---|---|
| Emerald (Colombian) | Three-phase, calcite, pyrite, jagged tubes |
| Emerald (Zambian) | Actinolite needles, biotite, two-phase |
| Emerald (Brazilian) | Biotite, chromite, two-phase |
| Aquamarine | Rain (parallel tubes), two-phase, crystals |
| Morganite | Liquid feathers, tubes, crystals |
| Red beryl | Two-phase, bixbyite crystals |
Treatments
Beryl undergoes several treatments:
Oiling (Emerald)
The most common emerald treatment:
- Oil fills surface-reaching fractures
- Improves apparent clarity
- Cedar oil traditional; polymers also used
- Minor oiling widely accepted
- Significant oiling reduces value
- Requires disclosure
Heat Treatment
- Aquamarine: Removes green, enhances blue (routine)
- Morganite: Removes yellow, enhances pink (common)
- Stable: Heat-treated colours permanent
- Accepted: Routine practice; disclosure standard
Fracture Filling (Emerald)
Beyond oiling, resins and polymers used:
- Opticon, Gematrat, ExCel (brand names)
- More stable than oil in some cases
- Can show UV fluorescence
- Must be disclosed; affects value
Historical Significance
Beryl has been treasured throughout history:
- Cleopatra's Mines: Egyptian emerald mines (Sikait, Zabara)
- Spanish Conquest: Colombian emeralds reached Europe 16th century
- Moghul Emeralds: Carved Indian emeralds of exceptional size
- Dom Pedro Aquamarine: 10,363 ct obelisk in Smithsonian