Types of Beryl

TYPES OF BERYL

The beryl species has a
great mix of gemstones
which are all viewed as
precious gems. They
include the following:

EMERALD -
The colour of emerald varies
 according to its source and
location in the world.The most
prized colour is a strong slightly
blueish - green.Colombian emeralds
are pure green with a slight hint of
blue.They are dichroic which means that the colour will vary depending on
the position from which you look at it. Brazilian emeralds are slightly lighter
in colour and contain more yellow than Columbian stones. They sometimes
have a slight cloudiness, but are generally free from inclusions. Zambian
stones are are a deep emerald green with good clarity. Very few emeralds
are totally "clean".They generally have small inclusions or internal cracks
and can appear cloudy. The emerald cut (or step cut/octagon) was specially
designed to maximise the colour of emerald. The cut in which the corners are
removed to avoid chipping also protects the slightly brittle material.

AQUAMARINE - 
Aquamarine can be found in different colours including sky blue, sea green
and dark blue. In years past sea green was the most valued colour, however
since then sky blue and dark blue have become the most valued colours. Some
of the best quality aquamarine comes from Mozambique and Brazil - the blue is
strong, the crystals are large, and the material is clear. Aquamarine is dichroic
, so the colour changes depending upon the angle from which it is viewed. It is
usually cut to emphasis the best colour angle as opposed to the greatest size.
The emerald cut or step cut is often used to intensify its blueness.Aquamarines
have much better clarity than emeralds. It is easier to find clean stones with
good size and fewer inclusions.

Below L to R: Emerald, Aquamarine, and Heliodor
   

HELIODOR - (GOLDEN OR YELLOW BERYL)
Heliodor is a yellow type of beryl which was linked to the sun by past civilisations.
It often forms alongside aquamarine in granite pegmatities. The colour can vary
from pale yellow, to green-yellow, to a rich warm gold colour. Helidor can contain
small inclusions that can create a cat's eye effect when cut in cabochon form.

MORGANITE - (PINK BERYL)
The majority of morganite is a delicate peachy pink colour. The strength of the colour
can be enhanced by using a closed back white metal setting. The first morganite
was found in California, alongside tourmaline deposits. Depending on the level
of manganese impurities, morganite can be pale-pink, rose-pink, peach, salmon-pink,
and even violet in colour. Similar to emerald and aquamarine it is dichroic. Sometimes
crystals contain both pink morganite and blue aquamarine.

Below: L to R: Morganite, Green Beryl, Goshenite, and Bixbite
    

GREEN BERYL
The majority of green beryl is transformed into blue aquamarine
by heating the material at high temperature. The depth and strength of colour can dictate
whether a stone is called green beryl or emerald. Emeralds have a deep green, blueish
green, or yellow green colour. Green beryl should be pale green or pale green-yellow.
It often contains inclusions.

GOSHENITE -
Goshenite is named after the town of Goshen in Massachusetts, where it was first
discovered.It is the pure variety of beryl with no colouring agents.Small needlelike inclusions
can occur in the crystals. When faceted goshenite has a strong brilliance and can be confused
with white sapphire or white topaz.

BIXBITE-
This is a rare form of beryl. Usually only small gem quality crystals are found
so cut gemstones usually weigh less than 1 carat. Larger stones can be found, 
however they tend to be heavily flawed. Red beryl is not easy to find, and therefore it
is expensive. Due to this it not really a gemstone used by jewellery makers.