Name/Title
Beryl var. EmeraldEntry/Object ID
2009.62.57Description
Chemical Composition: nesosillicates
Crystal System: Hexagonal System
Description: Common Name: Beryl var. Emerald
Chemistry: Be3Al2(SiO3)6, Beryllium Aluminum Silicate
Group: Silicates
Location: Muso, Columbia
Description: Columnar structure with dark green to dark gray crystals all extending from a common mineral base.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is varied and includes emerald green, blue to blue-green, yellow, greenish-gold, red, colorless and pink.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is hexagonal; 6/m 2/m 2/m
Crystal Habits typically include the hexagonal prism with pincoid terminations. The terminations are often modified by many different pyramidal faces which can sometimes produce a rounded termination in the rough shape of a used pencil eraser.
Cleavage is imperfect in one direction (basal).
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 7.5 - 8.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 - 2.9 (average)
Streak is white.
Other Characteristics: Faces on large crystals are often pitted, striated lengthwise and rough.
Associated Minerals include micas, quartz, euclase, calcite, tourmalines and some feldspars.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, lack of good cleavage, hardness and color.
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 8 Topaz
Luster: Vitreous
Occurrence: Beryl of various colors is found most commonly in granitic pegmatites, but also occurs in mica schists in the Ural Mountains, and limestone in Colombia. Beryl is often associated with tin and tungsten ore bodies.
Rock Type: Igneous
Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9
Streak: white
Variety: Beryl is colorless in pure form; it is the many different impurities that give beryl its varied coloration. Without these splendid color varieties, beryl would be a rather ordinary gemstone with only average fire and brilliance. Emerald is the green variety and Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Height
4-1/2 inWidth
32 inLength
3 inWeight
1.6 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
FS-5Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumDate
January 3, 2024Location
Container
LeftDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
Right, RightWall
EastBuilding
Freida Smith HallCategory
PermanentMoved By
Steve MillerDate
October 23, 2012Location
Shelf
middle shelf left si, middle shelf left siWall
south wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
scottDate
September 19, 2009Location
Container
LeftDrawer
2nd shelfShelf
left, leftWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
scottDate
September 19, 2009Location
Container
LeftDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
RightCabinet
Case #63BWall
EastRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
Permanent
