Name/Title
Beryl var. AquamarineEntry/Object ID
2004.1.5Description
Chemical Composition: (Be3Al2Si6O18)(Mg,Fe)
Crystal System: Hexagonal System
Description: Common Name: Beryl var. Aquamarine
Group Name: Silicate
Chemistry: Be3 (Fe)3 Al2(SiO3)6, Beryllium Aluminum Silicate
Class: Silicates
Subclass: Cyclosilicates
Uses: Gemstone, mineral specimens and source of beryllium
Associated Minerals: Beryl Family
Found in Northern Areas of Pakistan
This specimen has several large blue crystal surround by smaller crystal in a muscovite matrix. Estimated Value: $10,000
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: conchoidal.
Hardness: 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: Glassy
Occurrence: Occurs in and embedded in pegmatites, attached in druses in pegmatites, in mica schists and hydrothermal calcite veins.
Rock Color: Medium
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.9
Streak: White
Texture: Crystalline
Variety: Aquamarine is the blue, or perhaps more correctly, blue-green or aqua variety of the mineral beryl. Aquamarine is colored by trace amounts of iron. Most gem aquamarines have been heat treated to produce the popular blue-green colors from less desirable yellow or pale stones. Aquamarine is sometimes found in huge crystals (unlike emerald). It is also known in a glassy form, often without showing crystal form, and sometimes with many holes or other odd shapes. Other times a large cluster of prismatic crystals can be seen to all have the same alignment - a sign that it is really a single crystal with many faces.Collection
Suomynona Mineral Collection, Suomynona CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2004.1Source or Donor
Suomynona Mineral CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Width
7 inDepth
5 inLength
9 inWeight
8.1 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
FS-3Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Ian C.Date
January 29, 2025Notes
Major mineral groups installationLocation
Display Case
FS-5Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumDate
January 3, 2024