Beryl
Hardness: 7.5-8 (Mohs scale)
Density: 2.6-2.8g/cm³
Refractive index: 1.559-1.583
Perhaps without many of us realizing it, beryl is one of the most popular minerals. Its varieties include, for example, emerald, which belongs to a group called cardinal gems – diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, and, until the discovery of its large deposits in Brazil, amethyst. This separation from semi-precious stones had more of a commercial nature than a question of the stones' true natural properties.
Aquamarine perfectly demonstrates the arbitrariness of the aforementioned division into precious and semi-precious stones. This beryl in blue shades was traditionally classified as a semi-precious stone, although its "cousin" emerald was considered a gemstone. However, aquamarine is usually cleaner and better formed than some other beryls. It occurs in shades from light blue to greenish blue.
When cleaning jewelry with aquamarines, we can notice that when immersed in water, the stone is practically invisible. Yet, fortunately, it is not porous and contact with water does not harm it in any way.
It is considered a stone for people born in March or under the signs of Aquarius and Pisces. Aquamarine is supposed to bring emotional and spiritual balance into our lives. Like kyanite or some other light blue stones, it is associated with the throat chakra.
In addition to the typical and significant deep green, specimens with bluish shades of emerald are also found in nature. The vast majority of these stones have many inclusions and cracks, which makes them relatively less durable. On the other hand, if we desire a natural emerald, we can usually recognize even the highest quality ones by the presence of some clearly visible "imperfections".
For aesthetic reasons, emeralds are sometimes improved with cedar oil, synthetic polymers, and possibly epoxy. Of course, their market value decreases with any modifications.
It is considered a stone suitable for Taurus and Cancer. Alchemical tradition associated it with the function of an antidote, while other legends perceived it as a stone capable of granting the wearer clairvoyance.
Personally, I like to use this stone in the XXX ring, or in a custom ring Junos.
Heliodor and golden beryl – according to some literature, one variety of beryl, while others perceive it as two different stones that are often confused. Heliodor has a slightly greenish shade of yellow, while golden beryl is a bright golden or yellow stone first documented in Namibia in 1913.
Some claim that it has a positive effect on the solar plexus and is suitable for people born under the sign of Leo.
Goshenite is a white, essentially colorless and transparent beryl - its structure contains almost no irregularities in the forms of other elements. Unlike some other colorless stones, such as diamond, zircon or moissanite, it has virtually no luster, fire or brilliance, which is why it is not widely used in jewelry. It was first found in Massachusetts, USA.
Morganite – a beryl colored with manganese in a vintage pink colour. Is colour is usually quite subtle and for it to be really noticeable, the specimen must be quite large. On the other hand, compared to, for example, emerald, it is normally more pure, and therefore more durable.
Those who fancy the history of economics may be pleased that this stone was named after the financier J. P. Morgan.
Under the influence of X-rays, this stone exhibits red fluorescence.
It is mined mainly in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Namibia, the USA and Madagascar.
Red beryl, formerly called bixbite and in the past also red emerald or scarlet emerald. It is said to be one of the rarest minerals on Earth.
It was first discovered by modern civilization in 1904 by Maynard Bixby in Utah. To this day, the areas around the Wah Wah Mountains in the southwestern United States are the only places where red beryl is mined.