Beryl: what is it and who suits it, properties and varieties

Among the stones used for decorative purposes, beryl is quite widely used. But the idea of ​​him among non-specialists is very vague. It's time to fill this gap with everyone who wants to start working with this semiprecious stone.

The description of beryl should begin with an indication that this stone has been used for a very long time. There was neither Ancient Sumer, nor Egypt, nor Babylon, and beryl, including transparent, was already actively used. Archaeological finds indicate that well-made beryl jewelry existed approximately 6,000 years ago. The assumption is quite reasonable that at least 2,000 years before this there were experiments and trial attempts to stone processing. The mineral is found in many places, including in our country, and in the New World. It is assumed that first of all it began to be mined in significant quantities in Africa.

The origin of beryl by modern geology and geophysics is fairly well established. This is a volcanic mineral that arose as a result of crystallization of magma in the early stages of the development of the globe. In this case, a melt was formed, characterized by increased fluidity. It contained various inert gases, as well as alkali metals. The melt saturated the free areas of the rocks.

Depending on the characteristics of the process, stones of very different sizes could form. Beryls are known that have reached enormous size.The largest samples extracted to the surface had a diameter of 6-18 m. Such specimens are mined mainly in India, and beryl of Ukrainian origin has the best quality. The famous Swedish scientist of the XVIII-XIX centuries Jens Jakob Berzelius proposed to name one of the versions of the mineral, mined in his country, pseudo-emerald.

Beryl was studied quite actively. Now there is a lot of information about its crystal lattice and chemical composition. It was possible to find out that the special channels in the stone structure contain alkali metals and inert gases. The crystals have a prismatic configuration; across, they are closer to hexagons.

But there are rare crystals in configuration:

• in the shape of a pyramid;
• cone-like;
• resembling a spindle.

The shape of a stone is affected not only by its chemical composition, but also by the conditions in which it was formed. So, in pegmatite veins either cones or shortened prisms form. Hydrothermal deposits mainly contain crystals in the form of long prisms and needle-shaped minerals. In metasomatic geological structures, predominantly skeletal and sheath-like crystals form.

Beryl can reach a very large size. Back in the early twentieth century, Brazil found a greenish-blue stone weighing 110.2 kg. A fragment of a mineral about 2 m long was found in the USA. Large specimens were found in other places. As for the color of beryl, it is affected by the presence of various substances. If the concentration of lithium increases, the stone is lighter and slightly pinker.

With an increase in the proportion of cesium, a pale pink, pink or clove color appears. Yellow, blue and green colors are formed due to different concentrations of iron ions displacing aluminum. The green color is due to the presence of chromium, vanadium and iron.

Beryls of all varieties are not affected by acids (except hydrofluoric acid). Any beryl has a glass luster.

The number of types of beryl present today in the jewelry market is quite large. The most noble type of beryl is, of course, an emerald. Most often, as you know, it has a green color. The same group of minerals includes:

• pink morganite;
• pezzottaite (painted in raspberry tone);
• bixbit (it is characterized by a red color);
• yellow heliodor;
• aquamarine (has a blue-green color);
• extinguishes (looks like a completely colorless pebble).

But these varieties assortment of beryls is not limited. There is also a bazzite (such a name was received by bluish, relatively pale crystals). This mineral contains scandium. Bazzite does not find application in the jewelry industry. Blue color is characteristic for augustite and machee. Both of them fade over time, this is especially true for the mache.

The difference between the main varieties of beryl can be associated not only with tonality, but also with the level of permeability to light, total cost, and demand in the decorative industry. For beryl, a golden, white and even black color may also be characteristic. Usually stones of the same color are mined in one deposit. The highest cost is, of course, emerald.

Morganites contain cesium and therefore are a source of radiation. The mass of such gems in most cases does not exceed 25 carats. Only a few samples that become the property of mineralogical museums can be larger than 1000 carats.

Bixbit is much less common. For its appearance, the stone received the alternative name "red emerald." Despite its hardness, bixbits are relatively fragile.According to some experts, such minerals are the rarest jewelry raw materials on our planet.

Raspberry beryl, also known as pezzatoite, was discovered only at the end of 2002. The only deposit allowed to get only 10 kg of stone, so a huge amount of samples sold now are made artificially.

Returning to heliodors, it is worth pointing out that the color of these stones can vary greatly. Some specimens are painted yellow with a golden tint, others are almost brown; in the presence of iron, green notes appear. A heated uranium mineral turns blue. But the most valuable heliodors are still those that have a natural yellow color.

Aquamarine (recall that this is also a subtype of beryl) looks like frozen, icy water droplets. Despite the apparent discreetness, this mineral was widely sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. What is it worth at least using it to inlay the crown of British kings. Aquamarines can have the following colors:

• greenish;
• sky-sea;
• bluish;
• powerful blue.

The presence of quartz affects the color of aquamarine. Sometimes its concentration reaches 70%. Note: this mineral may change color under the influence of bright sunlight. Another notable feature of the stone is dichroism.

Accumulations of beryls are formed in magmatites and metasomatites. The most rare type of deposits is the accumulation of stone in the rhyolite layer. There, mainly beryl bixbit or red beryl is found. The magmatic type of deposits is scattered inclusions and schlieren precipitates in the medium of granite or myarol pegmatite. The ability of beryl to accumulate well in placers is noted.

Jewelry quality stone in our country is concentrated mainly in the middle Urals, north of Yekaterinburg. There he occupies deposits of the Aduysko-Murzinsky pegmatite strip. These deposits have recently been a major source:

• heliodor;
• aquamarine;
• sparrow;
• green beryl;
• rosteritis.

The South Urals in the past served as a source of blue-green aquamarines. These stones, reaching 0.2 m in length, were raised from the pegmatites of the Ilmen mountains. South of the wine-yellow beryl was a by-product of the development of Kochkarsky gold deposits. Stone deposits are also found in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, or rather, in the Kara Sea. There, on the Nordensköld archipelago, at least 300 pegmatite veins, including beryl crystals up to 0.1 m in size, were discovered.

Altai deposits are Kaluginsky and Mount Development where the stone is extracted from the Tigiretsky pegmatites. To the north of Nizhneudinsk, in the Elash deposit, it was possible to find crystals up to 0.4 m in length. Tuva pegmatites Kara-Adyr is another source of large stones. Even in our country, such sources of beryl are known as:

• Suprunovskoye, Abchadskoye, Verkhnekutimskoye, Dividing (Menzenskoye) deposits;
• mines of Adun-Chelon;
• Advance;
• Novo-Duldurguyskoe and Sakhanayskoe deposits;
• Sherlov Mountain;
• Borschovka ridge.

In Karelia, beryls are found in Kaido-Järvi, in the Plotnolambinsky, Slyudyanoborsky manifestations. Outside of our country, the mineral is found:

• in Ukraine;
• in the central and eastern parts of Kazakhstan, in Kyrgyzstan;
• in Finland (deposits have been developed since 2005), in Norway, in Northern Ireland, in France and Italy;
• in Spain, Bulgaria, Kenya, Egypt, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique;
• in India, Australia, China, Nepal, Vietnam, Mongolia, Brazil, USA, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico.

Talk about the mineral beryl cannot be reduced only to a description of its deposits. In the basic formula of the stone, the presence of aluminum, beryllium, silicon and oxygen is noted.But there are always other impurities (alkali metals, lithium, manganese, inert gases, water). Hexagonal syngony appears in the crystal lattice. The octahedral rings included in the crystalline structure of the mineral are located one above the other; such a structure forms hollow channels.

The boundaries between the rings are formed by beryllium and aluminum inclusions. We can say that the crystal lattice has not only lateral, but also vertical bonds. Physical parameters are largely determined by the specific type of mineral. So, Mohs hardness of the heliodor is from 7.5 to 8 units. The density of the mineral is 0,00026-0,00028 kg per 1 cubic meter. cm. Heliodor is very fragile. It is characterized by shine, like glass. When broken, the stone looks uneven. Dissolution in acids is not possible. Aquamarine crystals are similar in shape to a column or prism. The color of the mineral can vary greatly.

It is impossible to reduce the significance for a person of such a stone as beryl, only to its aesthetic properties. It does not even matter whether the mystical parameters of the stone are true or false. Much more important is the fact that many of them are sincerely convinced. Back in the Middle Ages, it was claimed that polished beryl balls help expose thieves. The mineral was widely used in mystical practices, in the manufacture of religious utensils, etc.

Modern adherents of mysticism emphasize that this mineral can act as a talisman. According to them, the rarity and market value of the stone with its protective parameters are not connected in any way. The authors of myths like to say that all varieties of beryl are capable of:

• increase luck;
• provide increased attention to the opposite sex;
• reduce the risk of mental disorders.

Mineral is recommended by mystics in other cases. According to them, it will come in handy for those who love travel or those who fear theft of property, are preparing for litigation, or simply can’t deal with confused thoughts. Fans of mysticism also argue that amulets can be predominantly transparent minerals. But dark samples, according to their opinion, are suitable only for jewelry purposes. Some say that beryl helps to penetrate into the future, to predict it.

Specialists in the field of alternative medicine, such as lithotherapy, believe that beryl combines the magic of the earth element and the feminine principle. They claim that the stone helps to calm and suppress the emotional storm. Continuing the conversation about the alleged magical parameters of the stone, it is necessary to mention the mention of its abilities:

• increase responsibility;
• strengthen hard work, patience, practicality;
• make a person more pragmatic;
• build confidence and stamina.

Pink bixbits are credited with the opportunity to establish communication with the opposite sex, help in developing tact and polite handling. Sometimes they refer to an increase in sociability, an increase in the number of friends and the establishment of stronger ties between people. They say that beryl thereby facilitates the arrangement of personal life and professional, career growth. At the same time, shyness and timidity are suppressed. They say about heliodors that they make people more optimistic and help to value life, while overcoming any obstacles. Therefore, they are recommended to be worn by who faced serious problems or even real deep grief. In such cases, the mineral will contribute to maintaining self-confidence and a positive attitude.

Augustites are considered stones to help maintain vital stability and resilience. This sounds very relevant in recent years, when everything became very shaky and uncertain. Therefore, auguite should be preferred to those people who feel in a good position and do not consider it necessary to change anything.The stone is considered an assistant in strengthening families, it contributes to the development of respect and mutual responsibility in it. There are also mentions that augustite is useful to people who seek spiritual pursuit and to discover their inner self.

Goshenit is sometimes used by novice entrepreneurs and other serious professionals as an assistant in solving complex problems. They believe that the mineral will eliminate unjustified financial losses and choose reliable people in their environment.

The conversation about the alleged magical properties will certainly not be complete, if not to mention the use of blue beryls. They are recommended to be worn by the newlyweds in order to exclude family crises. Or at least smooth their sharpness.

Speaking about the use of beryl, its alleged therapeutic properties cannot be ignored. Various sources claim that the stone is able to strengthen the immune system and rid a person of chronic lesions of the digestive system. Even in Ancient Babylon, this mineral was considered to be healing from liver damage.

Natural medicine seekers prefer to believe that The therapeutic properties of beryl are determined by its jewelry use. So, earrings with any kind of stone relieve toothache or headache. And to maintain lung health, the use of beryl in pendants will help.

Of the general medical manifestations, beryl's ability to cope with excess body weight is often mentioned. It is also worth noting links to the effect in the treatment of viral lesions and pain in the back muscles. As for pendants made of stone, as well as bracelets, these jewelry are considered a good way to suppress chronic kidney ailments.

Regardless of the type of jewelry, beryl is considered an effective remedy for:

• heartburn and other manifestations of high acidity;
• bronchial asthma;
• digestive ulcers;
• high blood pressure;
• hemorrhoids;
• overweight;
• visual impairment;
• weakening of intellectual abilities;
• neurotic conditions.

Astrologers act quite rationally (from their point of view), giving recommendations on the topic of who fits beryl, and who presumably does not need it. They claim that the stone is recommended to be worn by Cancers, Pisces and Scorpions. Astrologers call aquamarine the best option for beryl. They also talk about its alleged benefits for Taurus (expanding the circle of contacts) and for Gemini (increasing discipline).

It is worth noting other recommendations of the mystics. They often say that Beryl is undesirable to wear on vacation or at recreational events. In these cases, the stones will push for rash actions. Astrologers believe that beryl is not suitable for Leo, Aries, Virgo and Capricorn.

However, it is worth noting that each astrological direction and even each individual astrologer has his own, special approach. There is an opposite opinion just described, according to which beryl is suitable for any sign of the zodiac. So, adherents of such an astrological school say that the same Aries is a mineral:

• help to get closer to relatives and friends;
• facilitate the achievement of success at work;
• will pay off teenage maximalism, its negative features.

The rarity of some types of beryl crystals and the abundance of its varieties make the question of sifting out fakes very urgent. Counterfeiters use every opportunity to depict a natural raw or polished stone in any way.Despite the difference in the parameters of each type, there are certain general properties that must be taken into account so as not to buy a fake. They are as follows:

• transparency and specific gloss (characteristic only for natural stone);
• ability to change color;
• present inclusions of different elements;
• the effect of a cat's eye (manifested in faceted colorless samples);
• ability to withstand contact with concentrated acids.

Beryl jewelry must be very carefully looked after. Like other decorative minerals, they do not tolerate prolonged contact with direct sunlight, so it is recommended to store jewelry in a rather dark place. The stones are cleaned no more than 1 time per month. To do this, use soft brushes and warm soapy water.

See Beryl's properties in the next video.