Beryl Crystals For Sale

Beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. Naturally occurring beryl tends to form hexagonal crystals that can reach several meters in size if given the right conditions. Completely pure beryl will be transparent and colorless, while mineral impurities create colors in most specimens. Well known varieties of beryl include aquamarine and emerald, although beryl can also be green, blue, yellow, white, and red depending on the incorporated impurities during formation.

3 Items ($595 to $595)

Golden-Green Heliodor Crystal - Khoroshiv Raion, Ukraine #301476

1.5" Golden-Green Heliodor Crystal - Khoroshiv Raion, Ukraine

$595

Aquamarine Crystals With Muscovite - Pakistan #34302

3.55" Aquamarine Crystals With Muscovite - Pakistan

SOLD

Pristine Aquamarine Crystal With Fluorescent Hyalite Opal - Namibia #281646

2" Pristine Aquamarine Crystal With Fluorescent Hyalite Opal - Namibia

SOLD

How Does Beryl Form?

Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) crystals will only form in environments with a sufficient amount of the element beryllium (Be). These environments include but are not limited to vugs and veins within granitic rock, rhyolitic formations, metamorphic rocks that contain pegmatites (igneous rock with large crystal formations), and, in some cases, carbonaceous sedimentary rock formations that have undergone regional metamorphism. However, the overlap between these environments and an environment rich in beryllium is quite narrow, so only a few beryl crystal deposits can be found around the world.

Where Is Beryl Found?

Beryl can be found in many localities throughout the world, though there are few well-known locations where gem-quality beryl is produced. Some of the most notable beryl crystal deposits are in Africa, Pakistan, Columbia, Russia, Brazil and the United States (Utah, California, Colorado, and Wyoming).

The Wah Wah Mountains in Utah are known for producing red beryl crystals. This red variety of beryl is extremely rare and is only known to come from a handful of localities. The crystals are often too small for faceting, though when large enough can they produce small finished gems that have been known to retail for thousands of dollars!

The Shigar District of Pakistan produces some of the most beautiful aquamarine crystals around. They're often in excellent condition, displaying vibrant blue colors, and can be found associated with muscovite crystals.

The Erongo Region of Namibia is well renowned for its spectacular mineral formations and associations. This region is known to produce topaz, fluorite, schorl (black tourmaline), smoky quartz, feldspar, goethite, goshenite, aquamarine, and many more crystal types. The volcanic history of the region left it with a wide variety of chemicals that primed the land for unique crystal formations. When in pristine condition, many of these specimens are jaw-dropping and can be quite expensive.

Varieties Of Beryl

The six most common varieties of beryl are:

Beryl var. Emerald - A green variety of beryl that is considered to be of highest value as far as beryl is concerned. In most cases, the green color can primarily be attributed to chromium impurities, and occasionally from vanadium impurities. If the green color is only faint, the crystal is typically labeled as "green beryl".

Beryl var. Goshenite In most cases this is a colorless variety of beryl, but the lack of color isn't due to the crystal being "pure". The lack of color is a result of impurities acting as color inhibitors. A crystal that has been labeled as goshenite will likely have either cobalt, calcium, scandium, vanadium, tin, or iron impurities. Goshenite's color can be manipulated unnaturally by irradiation, of which the color it presents is dependent on the impurity.

Beryl var. Aquamarine - A light blue to blue-green variety of beryl. Oddly enough, it owes its color to iron(II) and iron(III) impurities! The intensity of color depends on the concentration of these cations and their position within the crystal lattice. A combination of both impurities in just the right way can result in a deep blue crystal that's known as maxixe.

Beryl var. Morganite A pink variety of beryl that is also known as "pink beryl". It earns its color from manganese(II) cations within the crystal lattice. Much of the time these crystals contain yellow or orange coloration, sometimes even in banded fashion! It's not uncommon to come across morganite crystals that have been unnaturally treated by heat or irradiation to enhance or alter its color.

Beryl var. Bixbite - Also known as red beryl, this variety of beryl is typically vibrant pinkish red and owes its color to manganese impurities. Only a handful of locations are known to produce gem quality bixbite crystals: they're considerably more rare than diamonds!

Beryl var. Heliodor Also known as golden beryl, this variety of beryl can be yellow, light green, orange and even brown. However, the name golden beryl is typically only associated with heliodor crystals that display a golden-yellow color. Heliodor is typically the name for beryl crystals that tend more towards green or brown. This golden color is attributed to iron(III) cations within the crystal lattice.

What Is Beryl Used For?

Prior to the 1970s, beryl crystals were used as the primary ore of beryllium metal. Due to the wide variety of potential beryllium applications, whether it be for beryllium alloys, fluorescent lamps, computers, military application, as a deoxidizer, etc..., one can see why it's such an important mineral. Since then, bertrandite, an alternative ore of beryllium, has taken the place of beryl crystals due to the costly extraction of beryllium from crystals.

Currently, beryl's primary application is in jewelry and as display pieces. Due to its wide variety of colors, its highly sought after and dependent on the natural color within the crystal, it can be quite expensive.

How Does Beryl Form?

Where Is Beryl Found?

Varieties Of Beryl

What Is Beryl Used For?