Collection: Beryls

Beryl, a mineral from the silicate group, comes from granite pegmatites (magmatic rock with large crystals). It has a variable size, can sometimes reach very large sizes and was formed at the end of the crystallization of granite massifs. Beryl is a beryllium aluminosilicate comprising aquamarine, emerald, heliodor, morganite and goshenite.

Beryl stone has been known for centuries. It was first mentioned in the year 77 AD by Pliny the Elder, a 1st century Roman writer and naturalist, author of the encyclopedia entitled Natural History.

The name beryl comes either from the Latin “beryllos” meaning “color of sea water”, or from the Greek “bêrullos” meaning “crystal”. At the time, beryl was associated with a shiny colorless stone. It was used to make magnifying glasses. Moreover, Nero's famous emerald magnifying glass must certainly have been a clear beryl.

Thus, beryl, first synonymous with aquamarine, became synonymous with lentil. It was only in the 19th century that beryl was divided into 6 main varieties:

- aquamarine: pale green to blue color;

- bixbite: intense red color (very rare stone);

- emerald: intense green color;

- heliodor: pale yellow to yellow-orange color;

- morganite: pale pink to salmon pink color;

- goshenite: colorless.

All beryls of another color are named according to their color, such as yellow beryl.

The emerald

The most sought after stone in this family of beryls is emerald with its intense green. Its name comes from a very old Semitic name meaning “to shine”. It has inclusions of chromium and vanadium. The more intense and transparent the stone is, the more expensive the stone is. Its color is mainly due to the presence of chromium and/or vanadium.

The main deposits are found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar and Russia.

Aquamarine

It is the second most sought after beryl stone. Its name comes from the Latin “aqua marina” which means “sea water”. The most popular color of aquamarine remains deep blue like that of the sea. Aquamarines are often in the form of crystals of great transparency. They owe their coloring to the presence of iron.

The main deposits are found in Brazil, Africa, particularly Mozambique.

Morganite

It is the third most sought-after variety of beryl. It owes its name to a famous banker, JP Morgan, collector of precious stones. Its pink color is due to the presence of manganese. Inclusions are rather rare on this beryl stone.

The main deposits are in Afghanistan.

Heliodor or yellow beryl

Yellow beryl has a color that ranges from lemon yellow to orange-yellow. Its name comes from two Greek words meaning “gift of the sun”. It has very few inclusions and owes its color to the presence of iron.

The main deposits are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka.

Goshenite

This beryl is colorless transparent and has a dazzling shine. It owes its name to the place where it was first discovered: in Goshen (Massachusetts, United States).

The main deposits are found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar, China, Russia.

The bixbite

Bixbite is the rarest variety of beryl. It has a raspberry/red color due to the presence of manganese, which is not very transparent. It is extremely rare and is most often reserved for collectors.

The only known deposit is in Utah - United States.

In Lithotherapy, the benefits of beryl stone are extremely significant on a psychological and spiritual level. The different varieties of beryl each have specific virtues.

Indeed, morganite with its soft pink to salmon pink color provides relief in emotional disorders. This color is often associated with love and morganite is known to promote feelings of love and seduction. It is even cited as a stone which would amplify sexual orgasm.

Heliodor is an energizing stone. Its yellow color gives great energy and releases stress and anxiety. It brings strong vitality. It is said that she maintains the good health of green plants, animals and people around her. You just need to expose it to the rising sun so that it can restore all its energy during the day.

Goshenite has almost the same properties as diamond or quartz. It allows you to be very objective, to forget the past and move forward towards the future. It gives another vision of reality and facilitates reflection. In fact, it leads to good decision-making.

Generally, beryl stone has great powers in lithotherapy. It helps to channel people who are too nervous and encourages them to achieve their goals. At the same time, this stone promotes meditation and introspection. She is resolutely focused on the future and overcomes the emotional shocks linked to the past.