beryl

views updated

beryl Accessory mineral, Be3Al2Si6O18; sp. gr. 2.6–2.8; hardness 7.5–8.0; hexagonal; normally green, sometimes blue, yellow, or pink, and translucent to transparent; vitreous lustre; crystals hexagonal prisms, often striated, also occurs massive; cleavage perfect basal hardness; occurs extensively in cavities in granites, pegmatites, mica schists and gneisses, and associated with rutile. It is an ore mineral for beryllium. Transparent green varieties are emeralds, bluish-green are aquamarine, and pink are morganite.

beryl

views updated

beryl Mineral, beryllium silicate. Its crystals are usually hexagonal prisms of the hexagonal system. Gemstone varieties are aquamarine (pale blue-green) from Brazil; emerald (deep green) from Colombia; and morganite (pink) from Madagascar. Cut stones have little brilliance, but are valued for their intense colour. Hardness 8; r.d. 2.6–2.8.

Beryl

views updated

Beryl

Group of precious stones that includes emerald and aqua-marine. Colorless beryl is known as goshenite; rose beryl is called verobyerite or morganite; golden beryl is called heliodor; and there are also pale blue stones (aquamarine) and blue-green stones. Beryl was traditionally recommended for curing throat or liver disorders. It was also said to preserve wedded love and to be a good medium for magical vision.

(See also Crystal Gazing )

beryl

views updated

ber·yl / ˈberəl/ • n. a transparent pale green, blue, or yellow mineral consisting of a silicate of beryllium and aluminum, sometimes used as a gemstone.

beryl

views updated

beryl a transparent pale green, blue, or yellow mineral consisting of a silicate of beryllium and aluminium, sometimes used as a gemstone, which in early sources is taken as a type of perfect clarity.

beryl

views updated

beryl precious stone. XIII. — (O)F. beril (mod. béryl) — L. bēryllus — Gr. bḗrullos.

More From encyclopedia.com