Beryl (Emerald)

Be3Al2(SiO3)6

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A beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate with the formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6, beryl is the parent of several celebrated gemstones. Emerald owes its green to chromium, aquamarine its blue, morganite its pink, and heliodor its yellow, while goshenite is colorless. The mineral crystallizes in the hexagonal system as prismatic crystals, reaching a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8 with a specific gravity between 2.63 and 2.92. It is transparent and vitreous, with a colorless streak and poor basal cleavage. Emerald in particular has been among the most prized gemstones for thousands of years, its value tied to color saturation more than to clarity. A hardness of 7.5 to 8 gives the gem varieties good durability, and their value tracks color saturation more than clarity.

Beryl is a beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate with several gem varieties: emerald (green, colored by chromium), aquamarine (blue), morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow), and goshenite (colorless). Emerald has been one of the most prized gemstones for thousands of years.

Crystal System Hexagonal
Mineral Class 09 Silicates
Mohs Hardness 7.5-8.0
Specific Gravity 2.63-2.92
Color Green (emerald), blue (aquamarine), pink (morganite), yellow (heliodor)
Luster Vitreous
Streak Colorless
Cleavage Poor {0001}
Fracture Conchoidal to uneven
Transparency Transparent
Crystal Habit Prismatic hexagonal

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 7.5 – 8.0
1 Soft10 Hard
Beryl (Emerald) has a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 on the 1–10 mineral hardness scale.
Mohs Hardness Reference Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
6 Orthoclase
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond

Crystal System

Hexagonal
Beryl (Emerald) crystallizes in the Hexagonal crystal system.
Property Value
Crystal System Hexagonal
Axial Relationships a = b ≠ c, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardness of Beryl (Emerald)?
Beryl (Emerald) has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0.
What crystal system does Beryl (Emerald) belong to?
Beryl (Emerald) crystallizes in the Hexagonal crystal system.
What color is Beryl (Emerald)?
Beryl (Emerald) is typically Green (emerald), blue (aquamarine), pink (morganite), yellow (heliodor).
What type of luster does Beryl (Emerald) have?
Beryl (Emerald) exhibits a Vitreous luster.
What is the chemical formula of Beryl (Emerald)?
The chemical formula of Beryl (Emerald) is Be3Al2(SiO3)6.