Difference between revisions of "Beryl"
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[[File:beryldw.jpg|thumb|Beryl]] | [[File:beryldw.jpg|thumb|Beryl]] | ||
Any of several minerals and gemstones composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. The best known beryls are [[emerald]] (green) and [[aquamarine]] (blue); other types are [[heliodor]] (yellow) and [[morganite]] (pink). Beryl crystals occur in granites and pegmatites. Gem quality beryl crystals are found worldwide. They have been gathered or mined since 3000 BCE. High quality beryl gems are mined in Columbia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, and the U.S. (Califonia, Maine, Connecticut, South Dakota, and North Carolina). The largest recorded beryl crystal was found in Madagascar; it weighed 36 tons and measured 60 feet long. | Any of several minerals and gemstones composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. The best known beryls are [[emerald]] (green) and [[aquamarine]] (blue); other types are [[heliodor]] (yellow) and [[morganite]] (pink). Beryl crystals occur in granites and pegmatites. Gem quality beryl crystals are found worldwide. They have been gathered or mined since 3000 BCE. High quality beryl gems are mined in Columbia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, and the U.S. (Califonia, Maine, Connecticut, South Dakota, and North Carolina). The largest recorded beryl crystal was found in Madagascar; it weighed 36 tons and measured 60 feet long. | ||
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[[File:Berylemr1.jpg|thumb|Beryl]] | [[File:Berylemr1.jpg|thumb|Beryl]] | ||
| − | [[[SliderGallery rightalign|berylRS.jpg~Raman|Berylitaly1.jpg~Raman]]] | + | [[[SliderGallery rightalign|Beryl IR-ATR RRUFF 40002.png~IR-ATR (RRUFF)|Beryl raman RRUFF 40002.png~Raman (RRUFF)|berylRS.jpg~Raman (RASMIN)|Berylitaly1.jpg~Raman (U of Parma)]]] |
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== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
| Line 13: | Line 11: | ||
== Risks == | == Risks == | ||
| − | Beryllium is a known carcinogen. | + | * Beryllium is a known carcinogen. |
==Physical and Chemical Properties== | ==Physical and Chemical Properties== | ||
| − | * Hexagonal system with prismatic crystals usually striated lengthwise | + | * Hexagonal system with prismatic crystals usually striated lengthwise |
| − | * Cleavage | + | * Cleavage = poor in one direction |
| − | + | * Fracture = uneven to conchoidal | |
| − | * Fracture = uneven to conchoidal | + | * Luster = vitreous |
| − | * Luster = vitreous | + | * Streak = colorless to white |
| − | * Streak = colorless | + | * Fluorescence = none to weak (synthetic stones may appear opaque and dull red under long UV light) |
| − | * Fluorescence = none to weak | + | * Pleochroism = variable (depending on color) |
| − | + | * Inclusions = liquid, two-phase or tubular | |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 39: | Line 37: | ||
! scope="row"| Refractive Index | ! scope="row"| Refractive Index | ||
| 1.57 - 1.60 | | 1.57 - 1.60 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! scope="row"| Birefringence | ||
| + | | 0.005 - 0.009 | ||
|} | |} | ||
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[[media:download_file_401.pdf|Properties of Gemstones]] | [[media:download_file_401.pdf|Properties of Gemstones]] | ||
| − | == | + | ==Resources and Citations== |
| + | * Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016. | ||
* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Beryl.shtml Beryl] | * Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Beryl.shtml Beryl] | ||
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* Sue Fuller, ''Rocks and Minerals'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1995 | * Sue Fuller, ''Rocks and Minerals'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1995 | ||
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* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982 | * Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982 | ||
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* R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997 | * R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, ''Rocks, Fossils and Gems'', DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997 | ||
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* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962 | * A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962 | ||
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', https://www.britannica.com/topic/Britannica-Online Comment: "beryl" [Accessed September 19, 2003]. | * ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', https://www.britannica.com/topic/Britannica-Online Comment: "beryl" [Accessed September 19, 2003]. | ||
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* Website: http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/Beryl/beryl_triple_frame.htm (Fluorescence information) | * Website: http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/Beryl/beryl_triple_frame.htm (Fluorescence information) | ||
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* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 | * C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 | ||
| − | + | * Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl Beryl] (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005 and Dec 2022) | |
| − | * Wikipedia: | ||
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 101 | * G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 101 | ||
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* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 | * Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 | ||
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* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | * Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | ||
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* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 | * ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 | ||
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* ''CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics'', Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: density=2.69-2.7 | * ''CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics'', Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: density=2.69-2.7 | ||
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[[Category:Materials database]] | [[Category:Materials database]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:11, 24 January 2023
Description
Any of several minerals and gemstones composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. The best known beryls are Emerald (green) and Aquamarine (blue); other types are Heliodor (yellow) and Morganite (pink). Beryl crystals occur in granites and pegmatites. Gem quality beryl crystals are found worldwide. They have been gathered or mined since 3000 BCE. High quality beryl gems are mined in Columbia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, and the U.S. (Califonia, Maine, Connecticut, South Dakota, and North Carolina). The largest recorded beryl crystal was found in Madagascar; it weighed 36 tons and measured 60 feet long.
Synonyms and Related Terms
emerald (bright green); aquamarine (blue); heliodor (yellow to brown); morganite (pink to purple); goshenite (colorless); Beryll (Deut.); béryl (Fr.); beril (Fr.); berilo (Esp., Port.); beryl (Ned.)
Risks
- Beryllium is a known carcinogen.
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Hexagonal system with prismatic crystals usually striated lengthwise
- Cleavage = poor in one direction
- Fracture = uneven to conchoidal
- Luster = vitreous
- Streak = colorless to white
- Fluorescence = none to weak (synthetic stones may appear opaque and dull red under long UV light)
- Pleochroism = variable (depending on color)
- Inclusions = liquid, two-phase or tubular
| Composition | Be3Al2(SiO3)6 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 7.5 - 8.0 |
| Density | 2.68-2.83 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.57 - 1.60 |
| Birefringence | 0.005 - 0.009 |
Comparisons
Resources and Citations
- Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
- Mineralogy Database: Beryl
- Sue Fuller, Rocks and Minerals, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1995
- Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
- R.F.Symmes, T.T.Harding, Paul Taylor, Rocks, Fossils and Gems, DK Publishing, Inc., New York City, 1997
- A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
- Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Britannica-Online Comment: "beryl" [Accessed September 19, 2003].
- Website: http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/Beryl/beryl_triple_frame.htm (Fluorescence information)
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: Beryl (Accessed Oct. 18, 2005 and Dec 2022)
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 101
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: density=2.69-2.7