Beryl

Overview
Beryl (beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate) is the name of a family of stones that includes Emerald, Bixbite, Aquamarine, Morganite, Goshenite, Golden Beryl, Heliodor, and Honey Yellow Beryl. It is found in a variety of colors and is quite durable (except emerald). Pure Beryl is colorless, but it is often tinted by impurities, giving you the gemstones listed above. Beryl is found in many parts of Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world.

About the Stone

The Beryl family sits at a 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale. It can range from very small to several feet in size. Beryl's name comes from Greek beryllos, meaning "precious blue-green color of sea-water". Beryl gemstones have been considered gemstones since prehistoric times, and have been well established in legend. As early as A.D. 1220 beryl was believed to make the wearer unconquerable, but also friendly and likeable. Beryl is even mentioned in the bible!

Beryl's full name is beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. It has a hexagonal structure and, with the exception of Emerald, is normally translucent or transparent. Pure beryl is colorless but it is often tinted by impurities. The color of the Beryl stone changes it’s name as follows:

• Colorless - Pure Beryl
• Blue - Aquamarine
• Green - Emerald
• Red - Bixbite (aka Red Emerald)
• Yellow - Golden Beryl
• Pink - Morganite

Metaphysical Properties

Beryl gemstones are believed to help in battles or litigation. They are thought to sharpen the wearer's intellect and cure laziness. For additional properties, see the page for the individual Beryl stones.