What is beryl?

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What is beryl?

Beryl is short for beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate.  It is a popular mineral because it occurs in a variety of colors, with many of them considered very precious.  When one speaks of beryl, many people automatically think about gemstones and jewelry.  In its pure form, beryl is said to possess no color.  Along with impurities and imperfections, beryl is usually found in various hues like blue, yellow, green, and red.

Green beryl is considered one of the most popular types of this mineral.  Green beryl is commonly referred to as emerald, a very precious gem stone for many people.  The green color in emeralds is actually due to the presence of chromium and vanadium.  Adding to its popularity is its rarity.  Green beryl is considered scarce in terms of supply which is why they are highly valued and considered precious gems.

Aside from emeralds, there are also other beryl varieties based on color hues.  Those with yellowish tone are called golden beryls. Some are found with a bright golden yellow color while others may be pale.  The best feature of golden beryls is that they have fewer impurities when compared with their green counterparts.  This is the reason why golden beryls are also highly sought after and priced higher when sold.  Many gem collectors also consider golden beryls as flawless.

Other beryls are aquamarine which is bluish in color, goshenite which is the beryl with no color, red beryl, and morganite which is also known as the pink beryl or pink emerald.  All these colors are considered precious gem stones with their values classified depending on their impurities and size.

Beryl can be mined mostly in areas where there are large deposits of granite and limestone.  Several countries have large and/or significant deposits of beryl including Russia, Brazil, Norway, Germany, Colombia, and South Africa among many others.  In the US, beryl can be found in various states including California, Colorado, and Utah.

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