Beryl: what it is and who is suitable, 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 is time to fill this gap with everyone willing to start working with this semi-precious stone.

To begin the description of beryl it is worth pointing out 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 show that well-made beryl jewelry existed about 6,000 years ago. It is quite reasonable to suppose that at least 2000 years before this, experiments and trial attempts to work the stone were carried out. The mineral is found in many places, including in our country, and in the New World. It is assumed that before all it began to produce in significant quantities in Africa.

The origin of beryl is established quite well by modern geology and geophysics. It is a volcanic mineral resulting from the crystallization of magma in the early stages of the development of the globe. At the same time, a melt was formed, which was distinguished by increased fluidity. Various inert gases were present in its composition, as well as alkali metals. Melt saturated free areas of rock.

Depending on the peculiarities of the process, stones of the most varied size could be formed. Known beryls that have reached enormous sizes. The largest samples, extracted to the surface, had a diameter of 6-18 m. Similar specimens are mined mainly in India, and the best quality is beryl of Ukrainian origin. The famous Swedish scientist of the XVIII-XIX centuries, Jens Jakob Berzelius proposed to name one of the versions of the mineral that was mined in his country as a 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 special channels in the structure of the stone contain alkali metals and inert gases. The crystals have a prismatic configuration, they are closer to hexagons in the diameter.

But there are rare crystals in configuration:

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

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

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

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

Beryls of all species are not affected by acids (except hydrofluoric acid). Any beryl has a glassy sheen.

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

• pink morganite;
• pezzottaite (colored crimson);
• Bixbit (it is characterized by red color);
• yellow heliodor;
• aquamarine (has a blue-green color);
• goshenite (looks like a completely colorless pebble).

But the variety of beryl is not limited to these varieties. There is also bazzit (bluish, relatively pale crystals received this name). This mineral contains scandium. Batstsit does not find application in the jewelry industry. Blue color is characteristic of august and mashish. Both fade with time, this is especially true for cars.

The difference between the main types of beryls can be associated not only with tonality, but also with the level of light permeability, total cost, demand in the decorative industry. Golden, white and even black color can be characteristic of beryl. Usually, stones of the same color are mined at one deposit. Naturally, emerald has the highest value.

Morganites contain cesium and are therefore a source of radiation. The mass of such gems in most cases does not exceed 25 carats. Only a few specimens, becoming 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 their hardness, bixbits are relatively fragile. According to a number of experts, such minerals are the rarest jewelry material on our planet.

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

Returning to the heliodor, it is worth pointing out that the color of these stones can vary greatly. Some specimens are colored yellow with a golden hue, others are almost brown; in the presence of iron green notes appear. The mineral containing uranium turns blue when heated. 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, frozen water drops. Despite the seeming inconspicuousness, this mineral turned out to be widely demanded by collectors and connoisseurs. What is worth at least its use for the inlay of the crown of the 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%. For your information: this mineral can change color under the action of bright solar radiation. Another remarkable feature of the stone is dichroism.

Beryl accumulations are formed in magmatites and metasomatites.The most rare type of deposits is the accumulation of stone in the rhyolite layer. There is mainly found beryl-bixbit or red beryl. The magmatic type of deposits is diffuse inclusions and schlieren excretions in the medium of granite or miarol pegmatite. The ability of beryl to accumulate in placers is noted.

Gem quality stone in our country is concentrated mainly in the middle Urals, north of Ekaterinburg. There he occupies deposits of the Aduisk-Murzinskaya pegmatite strip. These deposits have recently been a major source:

• Heliodorus;
• aquamarine;
• sparrowing;
• green beryl;
• rosterite.

The Southern 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 Ilmensky Mountains. South of the wine-yellow beryl was a by-product of the development of the Kochkara gold deposits. Stone deposits are also found in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, or rather, in the Kara Sea. There, in the Nordensheld archipelago, at least 300 pegmatite veins were found, including beryl crystals of up to 0.1 m in size.

The Altai deposits are Kalugin and mountain Mining, where the stone is extracted from Tigiretsky pegmatites. North of Nizhneudinsk, in the Yelash deposit, it was possible to find crystals up to 0.4 m in length. Tuvinian pegmatites Kara-Adyr are another source of large stones. Even in our country such sources of beryl are known as:

• Suprunovskoye, Abchadskoye, Verkhnekutimskoe, Vodorazdelnoe (Menzenskoe) deposits;
• Adun-Chelon's mines;
• Dosatuy;
• Novo-Duldurguiskoe and Sakhanaiskoe deposits;
• Sherlovaya Mountain;
• Borschovochny ridge.

Beryls are found in Karelia in Kaido-Järvi, in Plotnolaminsky and Slyudyanoborsky manifestations. Outside our country, the mineral is found:

• in Ukraine;
• in the central and eastern parts of Kazakhstan, in Kyrgyzstan;
• in Finland (deposits are 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.

The conversation about the mineral beryl cannot be reduced only to the description of its deposits. The presence of aluminum, beryllium, silicon and oxygen is noted in the basic formula of the stone. But there must be other impurities (alkali metals, lithium, manganese, inert gases, water). The hexagonal syngony is manifested in the crystal lattice. The octahedral rings that are included in the crystal 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. It can be said that the crystal lattice has not only lateral, but also vertical bonds. Physical parameters are largely determined by the specific type of mineral. So, Mohd's Heliodorum hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8 units. The density of the mineral is 0,00026-0,00028 kg per 1 cu. cm. Heliodor is very fragile. It is characterized by shine, like glass. When broken, the stone looks uneven. Dissolving in acids is not possible. Aquamarine crystals are shaped like a column or a prism. The color of the mineral can vary greatly.

It is impossible to reduce the value for a man of such a stone as beryl, only to its aesthetic properties. It doesn't matter whether the statements about the mystical parameters of the stone are true or false. Far more significant is the fact that many of them are sincerely convinced. Back in the Middle Ages, it was claimed that polished balls of beryl help to expose thieves. The mineral was very 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 in no way connected. 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. In their opinion, it will be useful for those who love traveling or those who fear theft of property, preparing for litigation, or simply cannot deal with confused thoughts. Fans of mystics also claim that mostly transparent minerals can act as amulets. But dark samples, if you believe their opinion, are suitable only for jewelry purposes. Some say that beryl helps to penetrate into the future, to predict it.

Experts in the field of alternative medicine, such as lithotherapy, believe that beryl combines the magic of the earth element and the feminine. They argue 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 point out the mention of his abilities:

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

Pink bixbits are credited with the opportunity to communicate with the opposite sex, help in developing tact and polite treatment. Sometimes they refer to increased sociability, an increase in the number of friends and the establishment of stronger ties between people. Claim that beryl thus facilitates the improvement of personal life and professional, career growth. Shyness and timidity are simultaneously suppressed. About heliodory they say that they make people more optimistic and help to value life while overcoming any obstacles. Therefore, they are recommended to wear those who are facing serious problems or even real deep sorrow. In such cases, the mineral will contribute to the preservation of faith in yourself and a positive attitude.

Augustites are considered stones that help maintain life stability and sustainability. This sounds very relevant in recent years, when everything has become very unstable and uncertain. Therefore, the institution of august should be given preference to those people who feel themselves 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. Also, there are mentions that Augustus is useful for people seeking spiritual pursuits and the discovery of their inner essence.

Goshenit is sometimes used by budding entrepreneurs and other serious professionals as an assistant in solving complex problems. They believe that the mineral will allow to exclude unjustified financial losses and select reliable people in their surroundings.

Talking about the alleged magical properties will certainly be incomplete, if you do not mention the use of blue beryl. 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, it is impossible to ignore its intended therapeutic properties. Various sources claim that the stone is able to strengthen the immune system and save a person from chronic lesions of the digestive system. Even in ancient Babylon, this mineral was considered healing for liver damage.

Searchers for "natural medicines" prefer to assume that The therapeutic properties of beryl are determined by its jewelry use. So, earrings with any types of stone alleviate tooth or headache. And to preserve the health of the lungs will help the use of beryl in the composition of the pendants.

Of the common therapeutic manifestations, the possibility of beryl to cope with overweight is often mentioned. It is also worth noting references 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 to be a good means of suppressing chronic ailments of the kidneys.

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

• heartburn and other manifestations of high acidity;
• bronchial asthma;
• ulcers of the digestive organs;
• increased pressure;
• hemorrhoids;
• overweight;
• visual impairment;
• weakening of intellectual abilities;
• neurotic states.

Astrologers act quite rationally (from their point of view), giving recommendations on the subject of who is suitable for beryl and for whom it is supposedly not needed. They claim that the stone is recommended to be worn by Cancers, Pisces and Scorpios. Astrologers call the best option for beryl aquamarine. They also talk about its intended benefits for Taurus (expansion of the circle of communication) and for Gemini (increases discipline).

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

However, it is worth noting that every astrological trend, and even every single astrologer, has its own particular approach. There is the opposite opinion just described, according to which beryl fits any sign of the zodiac. So, adherents of a similar astrological school say that the same Aries is a mineral:

• helps to get close with relatives and friends;
• facilitate the achievement of success at work;
• will allow to extinguish adolescent maximalism, its negative features.

The rarity of certain types of beryl crystals and the abundance of its varieties make the issue of screening fakes very topical. Falsifiers use all possibilities to depict natural, unprocessed or ground stone in any way they like. Despite the difference in the parameters of each type, there are certain common properties that must be considered in order not to buy a fake. They are:

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

Beryl jewelry must be carefully looked after. Like other decorative minerals, they do not tolerate long-term contact with direct sunlight, so jewelry should be stored in a fairly dark place. Cleaning stones is not more than 1 time per month. To do this, use soft brushes and warm soapy water.

On the properties of beryl, see the following video.