Skip to content
A to Z
On this page

UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes

Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral species · Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Beryl

Also known asGreen Beryl (conditional name)

A beryllium aluminium silicate mineral species with formula Be3Al2Si6O18; Emerald, Aquamarine and others are its varieties. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.

Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.

Edited by RalphReviewed by JuneLast updated 2026-10-13Who maintains this page

Care and wear

What this page can answer

This page covers

What we cannot conclude

  • Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
  • Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
  • Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.

Material research: formation, causes and history

What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.

How it forms

Beryl is the beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate Be3Al2Si6O18 and the mineral species of the beryl family; emerald, aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, goshenite and red beryl are its colour varieties. The upper continental crust holds only about 2.1 ppmw beryllium on average, so beryl can crystallise only from Be-rich melts or fluids. Granitic pegmatites are the most important setting: late-stage residual melts keep concentrating Be, B, F, Li and other rare alkalis together with volatiles, and the exsolved aqueous fluid crystallises large, well-formed beryl in open (clay-filled) pockets of the core and intermediate zones. Basinal brines circulating in Be-bearing black shale and evaporite sequences can also form beryl-group minerals.

Scope: Covers the common formation background of the varieties of the beryl group (emerald, aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, goshenite, red beryl); the colouring elements and some locality conditions differ between varieties and cannot be transferred from one to another.

Sources G&G Winter 2019 · G&G Summer 2025 · GIA Emerald Description

Where it forms

Granitic pegmatites (especially complex, internally zoned bodies), in open pockets of the core and intermediate zones, crystallised from residual aqueous fluid.

Sources G&G Summer 2025

Be-bearing metasedimentary rocks (e.g. black shale) and evaporite-bearing sequences, where basinal brines circulate along faults.

Sources GIA Emerald Description · G&G Winter 2019

How it forms, step by step

  1. Crustal melting generates granitic magma, and incompatible elements such as beryllium enter the melt.

    Sources G&G Winter 2019 · G&G Summer 2025

  2. Magmatic fractional crystallisation continues, and the late residual melt keeps enriching in Be, B, F, Li and volatiles.

    Sources G&G Summer 2025 · G&G Winter 2019

  3. An aqueous fluid exsolves from the melt and is injected into fractures or pockets of the pegmatite.

    Sources G&G Summer 2025

  4. Coarse beryl (with quartz, feldspar, mica, tourmaline, etc.) crystallises in the open pockets.

    Sources G&G Summer 2025

Link to appearance

Beryl forms hexagonal prismatic crystals that are often large and well-formed; different trace chromophores (e.g. Cr/V for green, Fe for blue) determine whether it appears as emerald, aquamarine, etc.

Sources GIA Emerald Description

Timescale

Beryl crystallises late in magmatic evolution from cooler, water-rich fluid; in pegmatites crystal growth rates can reach millimetres to more than a metre per day.

Sources G&G Summer 2025 · G&G Winter 2019

Supporting findings

Beryllium is very scarce in the upper continental crust (about 2.1 ppmw), so beryl is relatively rare and forms only in Be-rich melts or fluids.

Evidence grade A

Scope: The abundance/rarity statement applies to the beryl group as a whole, not to recoverable reserves of each variety.

Sources G&G Winter 2019

Granitic pegmatites are a major source of gem-quality beryl, which is a characteristic mineral of rare-alkali pegmatites.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes pegmatites as an important setting without excluding others (e.g. metamorphic or black-shale systems).

Sources G&G Summer 2025

Within a pegmatite, gem-quality crystals are most often found in open or clay-filled pockets situated in the body's core and central zones.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes the pocket setting of pegmatites, not every beryl occurrence.

Sources G&G Summer 2025

Residual pegmatite fluids are enriched in rare elements such as Be, B, F and Li plus volatiles, enabling the crystallisation of beryl and other minerals.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Concerns the residual-fluid evolution of complex, zoned pegmatites.

Sources G&G Summer 2025

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.

Locality sketch mapLand outlines only; the map does not depict any national or regional boundary. Dots mark approximate positions. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).

Asia

North America

South America

These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.

Human use and museum objects

Collection evidence shows beryl's early instances in Egypt around 1802-1450 B.C. (Met 11.151.643a-l lumps) and an 8th-7th century BCE beryl-set ring (Met 74.51.4136), thereafter used in Cyprus, Roman Italy and the Byzantine Mediterranean as rings, earrings, necklace beads and intaglios (e.g. Met 25.192.1, 25.78.90; Cleveland 1947.506). Aquamarine is beryl's blue variety and belongs to the same parent material.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Applies to collection objects labelled beryl or aquamarine, both belonging to beryl; colour varieties (e.g. aquamarine, emerald) are attributed to the beryl parent material.

Sources The Met 11.151.643a–l · The Met 74.51.4136 · The Met 74.51.3609 +4

As beadwork and set stones, beryl's earliest collection instances are a group of raw beryl lumps from late Middle Kingdom to early New Kingdom Egypt (Met 11.151.643a-l, ca. 1802-1450 B.C., Memphite Region) and an 8th-7th century BCE gold ring set with beryl (Met 74.51.4136). Cypriot gold-and-beryl earrings (2nd-1st century BCE, Met 74.51.3609) and Roman silver rings set with beryl (3rd century CE, Met 98.11.63 and the like) show subsequent use in Mediterranean jewellery. In the Roman Imperial period beryl was also carved as an intaglio, such as the gem bearing the portrait of Julia Domna (Met 25.78.90, ca. 200-210 CE), and a necklace with pearls and beryl beads (Met 25.192.1, 1st-2nd century CE). The Cleveland Museum of Art's Greco-Roman necklace with three pendants (1947.506, 1-200 CE) includes beryl. Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl, and the collection's 19th-20th century aquamarine necklaces (e.g. 48.187.509) belong to the beryl parent material.

Sources The Met 11.151.643a–l · The Met 74.51.4136 · The Met 74.51.3609 +4

Scope: A museum object evidences only the existence and date of that artefact itself; it does not establish widespread ancient use of the material, nor does it attest the origin, naturalness, or treatment of any modern specimen.

Objects cited

2000 BCE1500 BCE1000 BCE500 BCE0500Met 11.151.643a–lca. 1802–1450 B.C.Met 74.51.41368th–7th century BCEMet 74.51.36092nd–1st century BCEMet 25.192.11st–2nd century CECMA 1947.5061–200 CEMet 95.15.131late 2nd–3rd century CEMet 25.78.90ca. 200–210 CE
Dates of museum objectsDates from the museums' open-access records (CC0); each bar spans the whole period named in the record, with qualifiers such as “early” or “possibly” kept in the label rather than turned into a narrower range; an arrow marks a record that reads “before” or “after” a yearSource: The Met / Cleveland Museum of Art open-access records

How it is identified

Beryl-group stones cannot be assigned to natural, synthetic or treated on looks alone. Under the microscope, internal features are telling: multiphase fluid inclusions and mineral inclusions point to natural growth, whereas flux residues, phenakite crystals or roiled growth zoning betray flux or hydrothermal synthesis, and clarity enhancement shows as flattened gas bubbles with a flash effect. Chemistry complements this: energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) exposes colour-causing trace elements together with flux and crucible residues that separate synthetic material. Every such observation and test belongs in a professional gem laboratory, and the conclusion should be issued by a qualified body.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Applies to the beryl group; separating natural, synthetic and treated material requires microscopic and chemical testing at a qualified gem laboratory, and is not a self-identification method.

Sources G&G Winter 2016

Beryl-group stones such as emerald, aquamarine and morganite are often priced on locality, and finished goods are traded under names from Colombia, Zambia, Brazil or Madagascar. A locality name, however, is only a trade attribution and is not a determined origin. Origin work is a laboratory exercise: the deposit type is addressed first, then inclusion suites and trace-element suites (measured by methods such as laser ablation ICP-MS) are compared with reference databases for known localities to yield a conclusion of consistency or inconsistency with a source. Because the characteristic ranges of different localities overlap and vary within a single deposit, the conclusion is probabilistic and may be only inconclusive; heating, filling and diffusion alter the measurable features and must be excluded first. Origin cannot be inferred from appearance or name; an origin conclusion must be issued by a qualified laboratory for a specific specimen. This entry offers no self-test criteria or thresholds.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Origin cannot be inferred from appearance or name; an origin conclusion must be issued by a qualified laboratory for a specific specimen, and this entry provides no self-test criteria or thresholds.

Sources G&G Winter 2019 · G&G Summer 1998

Other research findings

Beryl has the formula Be3Al2Si6O18 and is a beryllium-bearing cyclosilicate mineral.

Evidence grade A

Scope: The formula applies only to the mineral species beryl, not to other beryllium minerals.

Sources GIA Emerald Description

Beryl is a single mineral species, and emerald, aquamarine and others are colour varieties rather than independent species.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Valid only for the species-variety relation; trade names are not a classification basis.

Sources GIA Emerald Description

The largest faceted beryl-group stone recorded by the 1988 GIA article Faceting Large Gemstones is a 2,594 ct aquamarine in a private collection. The same article also lists a green-gold beryl of 2,054 ct, measuring 12 cm by 5 cm, which John Sinkankas cut in the early 1960s and which is held at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. These figures come from 1988 literature and may since have been overtaken.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A record statement subject to change; the figures come from 1988 literature and may since have been superseded. Concerns the beryl group (including the aquamarine variety); distinguish species from variety records.

Sources G&G Spring 1988

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • This record relies on GIA sources as its single authority synthesis and does not verify every locality detail.
  • Synthesis and treatments of beryl are outside the formation scope.

Methodology

Evidence grades

A
Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
B
Institutional educational material
C
Specialist databases or cautious readings

A statement is never graded above its strongest source.

This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.

DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments

Suggested listing name
Beryl

GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1 “Beryl” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.27 “Beryl”

Construction or treatment status

Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments recorded for this material: Heated / Heat-treated, Filled / Fracture-filled, Irradiated, Coated

Related:Disclosure and cautions

This page cannot answer

Natural? · Origin · Price

A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.

Related:What this page can answer

Answer at a glance

Beryl is often subjected to heating. Under GB/T 16552-2017, heating counts as an optimization, so the plain gem name may be used (§5.4.2.1 a). Do not assume it is unenhanced.

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Beryl" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.

Known uncertainty

Last reviewed
2026-09-01

Care and wear

Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:

  • Handle it gently.
  • Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
  • Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
  • Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.

The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.

Care

care (cleaning)3 sources compared

Beryl — care (cleaning): generally hardy unless heavily included; to be safe, avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners and use a damp, non-abrasive cloth.

CIBJO Retailers' Reference Guide (2021)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j

Treatment state
treated
Applies only to
other colours, sold under a colour prefix
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (cleaning): beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): ultrasonic and steamer: use caution; note: take extra care when liquid inclusions or feathers are present.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (chemicals): Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code k

Treatment state
treated
Applies only to
other colours, sold under a colour prefix
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (wear): cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code b

Treatment state
treated
Applies only to
other colours, sold under a colour prefix
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (special care): yellow-green stones: normal care.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (setting): beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): prong and bezel: relatively safe; flush and channel: use caution; pavé: avoid; note: it may contain liquid inclusions.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (repair): beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): polishing: relatively safe; pickle pot and thermal shock: use caution; jeweller's torch: avoid; note: avoid heat when liquid inclusions or feathers are present.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (display): Maxixe-type beryl (irradiated dark blue) fades in light

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Beryl — care (display): beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): heat in the display case, sunlight and artificial light: relatively safe.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Common care questions and matching entries

CleaningThe CIBJO Retailer's Reference Guide — Gemstones states that, in any treatment state, Beryl is generally quite durable unless heavily included; to be safe, avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning, and preferably wipe it with a damp, non-abrasive cloth. CIBJOThe CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book states that treated stones (only for other colours and colour-prefixed names) must not be cleaned ultrasonically; treatments such as dyeing, oiling, resin, wax or plastic impregnation are not permanent, so keep the stones away from all solvents (including detergents), chemicals and heat; and they break easily, so wear them with care. Martin, Gem DurabilityMartin's Gemstone Durability: Design to Display states that the treated Maxixe type (irradiated to deep blue; irradiation only) fades on exposure to light; for untreated beryl other than emerald (such as aquamarine), take care with ultrasonic and steam cleaning, especially with liquid inclusions or feathers; prong and bezel settings are relatively safe, tension and channel settings need care, and pavé should be avoided; in repairs, take care with pickling after soldering and with thermal shock, avoid the torch, and avoid heat when liquid inclusions or feathers are present.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

QuestionMatching entries
Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?generally hardy unless heavily included; to be safe, avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners and use a damp, non-abrasive cloth; other colours, sold under a colour prefix: care (cleaning); beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): ultrasonic and steamer: use caution; note: take extra care when liquid inclusions or feathers are present
Heat and thermal shockberyl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): polishing: relatively safe; pickle pot and thermal shock: use caution; jeweller's torch: avoid; note: avoid heat when liquid inclusions or feathers are present
Light and displayMaxixe-type beryl (irradiated dark blue) fades in light; beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): heat in the display case, sunlight and artificial light: relatively safe
Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicalsother colours, sold under a colour prefix: Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat
Wearing limits (knocks, settings)other colours, sold under a colour prefix: cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care; beryl other than emerald (aquamarine and others): prong and bezel: relatively safe; flush and channel: use caution; pavé: avoid; note: it may contain liquid inclusions

Care entries by treatment state

The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.

any treatment state

treated

untreated

treated (Only after these treatments: irradiation)

Durability and wearing

Toughness

Fair to good

Sources GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatments and identification leads

Registered treatmentsThe treatments registered for Beryl are filling, irradiation, heating and coating. Stability and frequencyFilling has the status treated, is unstable and occurs commonly; its identification leads include filled areas with a lustre different from the host under magnification, and characteristic filler bands detectable by infrared spectroscopy. Irradiation has the status irradiated or dyed; it usually produces colours such as yellow to deep yellow or green, and near-infrared and UV-visible spectra show characteristic absorption peaks caused by irradiation colour centres. Heating has the status treated; it is mostly used to remove the yellow tint from morganite to obtain a pure pink, is hard to detect, and is stable below 400°C. Coating has the status treated; under magnification an abnormal surface lustre or local peeling of the film can be seen, and infrared and Raman spectra can detect the coating's characteristic peaks. Values not givenFor irradiation, heating and coating, the cited source gives no value for stability or prevalence.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
fillingStatus: treatedcommonlyunstableGraded — see §5.4.1, Table 1—See identification leads
irradiationStatus: irradiated or dyed——Treatment—See identification leads
heatingStatus: treated——Optimization—See identification leads
coatingStatus: treated——Treatment—See identification leads

Where each treatment acts (schematics): Filled / Fracture-filled · Irradiated · Heated / Heat-treated · Coated

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GB/T 16553—2017; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1; JJA/AGL 2025

Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):

  • GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
  • CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15

What this table covers

What this page can give

  • Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
  • Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing

How lab reports word it

A general LMHC wording rule also covers Beryl (Information Sheet #8): see the LMHC rule “When colour authenticity cannot be determined”.

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Besides Beryl, the name register records "Green Beryl", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded (CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.99 “Green Beryl”); one further name in a non-Latin script is listed in the name register below (1 that must not be used as a name).

Standard and listing namesThe GB/T 16552—2017 standard name for Beryl is beryl (Table A.1), and the suggested listing name is also Beryl. Institution usageThe CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 records the wording Beryl; GIA, FTC and Gem-A are unchecked, and bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position. Japanese namesThe GSJ (Japan) formal name is beryl. Names in four languagesNames are registered in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Beryl) and Japanese. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18). Sub-names and unacceptable namesAmong the registered names, Green Beryl is a sub-name (variety or sub-type) registered by CIBJO and is used only as a candidate search term; the Chinese market name meaning “green gem” is likewise used only as a candidate search term, and GB/T 16552—2017 cites it as an example of an unacceptable name, illustrating that confusing or ambiguous names should not be used for naming; it is not a trade name.

Name register

Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

NameTypeMatchingUse as a nameBasis
no restriction recorded (1)
Green BerylEnglishnarrower name (variety or subtype)search candidate onlyno restriction recordedCIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.99 “Green Beryl”
not to be used as a name (1)
绿宝石Simplified Chinesemarket namesearch candidate onlynot to be used as a nameGB/T 16552—2017 5.1.2.1 d); Note: GB/T 16552—2017 §5.1.2.1 d) uses it as the example of a rule: confusing or ambiguous names must not be used (a counter-example, not a trade name).

How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
Beryl (on record for CIBJO (CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.27); GIA, FTC, Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
緑柱石
Chinese formal name
绿柱石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1)
Mineralogical name
Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18)
Trade names and synonyms
Green Beryl (narrower name (variety or subtype); conditional name)

Four-language names

简体中文
绿柱石
繁體中文
綠柱石
English
Beryl
日本語
ベリル／緑柱石

See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index

Classification

Origin
Natural materials
Material domain
Natural inorganic gem materials
Browsing family
Beryl minerals and gem varieties
Identity tier
Mineral species
Mineral chemical class
Silicates
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments listed by standards

GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1

Table B.1, row “Beryl” (p.14):

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

MethodEffectCategory
HeatingImproves colourOptimization
FillingImproves or changes durability and appearanceGraded — see §5.4.1, Table 1
IrradiationChanges colourTreatment
CoatingImproves or changes lustre, colour and other aspects of appearanceTreatment

What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.

JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Gem nameSpeciesColourListed in the tableNotes
[colour] BerylBerylother coloursan untreated tier is listed

JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.16

How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.

What it is and how it's identified

Beryl is registered at species level: chemical formula Be3Al2Si6O18, with possible trace elements such as Fe, Mg, V, Cr, Ti, Li, Mn, K, Cs and Rb; crystalline, hexagonal, with a hexagonal prismatic habit, occasionally hexagonal tabular, the crystal faces often striated lengthwise; Mohs hardness 7.5–8, with one imperfect cleavage; density 2.67–2.9 g/cm³ (cited clause value 2.72, tolerance +0.18, −0.05, range worked out from that); optic character anisotropic, uniaxial, optically negative; refractive index 1.56–1.6 (cited clause value 1.577–1.583, tolerance ±0.017, range worked out from that); birefringence 0.005–0.009; untreated, pleochroism is weak to moderate, varying with body colour, and the lustre is vitreous.

Registered material facts

Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

Definition

Beryl — nomenclature status: IMA status G: grandfathered (described before the IMA existed, and generally regarded as a valid species).

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Beryl — composition (chemistry): Be3Al2Si6O18; Fe, Mg, V, Cr, Ti, Li, Mn, K, Cs and Rb may be present in trace amounts.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — composition (phase): beryl

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Structure

Beryl — structure (overall): crystalline

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — structure (crystal system): hexagonal

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — structure (crystal habit): typically six-sided prisms, now and then flat hexagonal plates; prism faces usually striated lengthwise.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Durability

Beryl — Mohs hardness: 7.5–8

GB/T 16553—2017

123456789107.5–8References (diamond = value, bar = range; below)

Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))

Mohs hardnessSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
General note
hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — cleavage: imperfect in one direction

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

For Beryl, the stability of filling is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
filling
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Beryl itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Physical properties

Beryl — density: 2.67–2.9 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

0.51.52.53.54.55.56.57.52.67–2.9
Specific gravitySource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 2.72, with a stated tolerance of +0.18 / -0.05. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Optical

Optical effects on record: chatoyancyrepresentative example: cause in Tiger’s Eye (schematic)asterismrepresentative example: cause in Star Sapphire (schematic)

Beryl — optic character: uniaxial, optically negative (anisotropic)

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — refractive index: 1.56–1.6

GB/T 16553—2017

1.31.72.12.52.93.31.56–1.6
Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 1.577–1.583, with a stated tolerance of ±0.017. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — birefringence: 0.005–0.009

GB/T 16553—2017

00.050.10.150.20.250.30.005–0.009
BirefringenceSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — pleochroism: weak to moderate, and varying with color: yellow is weak, showing green-yellow and yellow, or different tones of yellow; green is weak to moderate, showing blue-green and green, or different tones of green; pink-red is weak to moderate, showing light red and purple-red.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Beryl — fluorescence (overall): generally weak; colourless: none to weak, yellow, pink; yellow, green: generally none; pink-red: none to weak, pink, violet.

GB/T 16553—2017

UV fluorescenceyellowpinknone–weak, colourlesspinkvioletnone–weak, pink-redDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — spectrum (UV-visible): non-characteristic; weak absorption peak due to iron.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — spectrum (infrared): Diagnostic mid-IR bands arise from Si-O and similar groups; beryl that has been filled departs from natural beryl in its functional-group-region bands.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Beryl — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — optical effect (asterism): seen; rare

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — magnification: gas-liquid inclusions, three-phase inclusions, mineral inclusions, parallel tube inclusions, growth striations.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — body colour: green, yellow, pink, red, light orange, blue, brown, black or colorless; pink-red beryl goes by the name morganite.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The colours GB/T 16553—2017 lists for Synthetic Beryl overlap with this entry: red, pink and blue (this entry gives blue, the synthetic beryl clause light blue).

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26
CIBJO definitions
chatoyancy, asterism

Quality factors

Beryl — quality factor (lustre): vitreous

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

1.551.561.571.581.591.62.62.72.82.93Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Beryl

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.58 / 2.79; Closest values: 1Qingtian Stone 1.565 / 2.77, 2Natural Conch Pearl / Natural Melo Pearl 1.595 / 2.84, 3Calcite 1.572 / 2.7, 4Brucite 1.57 / 2.89, 5Synthetic Emerald 1.565 / 2.69

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)1.41.51.61.71.81.922.12.22.32.41234567Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Beryl

Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22

Refractive index × specific gravity (all registered materials)Each dot is one material's registered refractive index and specific gravity (range midpoints, not measurements); gold = this material, dark = the nearest few (picked on this site by distance in RI ÷ 0.02 and SG ÷ 0.1, leaving out near-identical varieties of the same species)Source: each material's registered refractive index and specific gravity facts (GB/T 16553 and others; sources on each entry)

Testing and market

The tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for this material, and what each method means, are in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page: §6.1.12.

How far testing can go

Beryl that has undergone filling can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the exposed part of the filler has a surface luster differing from that of the host stone, and the filled area may show a flash effect and gas bubbles; infrared spectra show characteristic absorption bands of the filler; luminescence imaging (such as a UV fluorescence viewer) shows how the filler is distributed.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
filling
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (filling) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl that has undergone irradiation can be identified by the following features: commonly treated to give yellow, deep yellow or green; near-infrared and UV-visible spectra show the absorption peaks of irradiation colour centres.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
irradiated or dyed
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (irradiation) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl that has undergone heating can be identified by the following features: commonly used to remove the yellow tint of morganite and produce a pure pink; it is not easy to detect and is stable below 400 degrees Celsius.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
heating
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (heating) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl that has undergone coating can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the surface luster is abnormal and the film can be seen peeling off in places; refractive index readings may be abnormal, and infrared and Raman spectra show characteristic peaks of the film.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
coating
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.9 (coating) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Beryl — synthetic counterpart on the market: A synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

For Beryl in trade, the reported frequency of filling is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
filling
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Beryl — what the CIBJO laboratory protocol says to watch for: clarity enhancement, synthetics

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
any treatment state
Applies only to
yellow, colourless, pink and red beryl
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Clause-level definitions

Beryl has a direct definition in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under the term Beryl, with the definition referring to the cited CIBJO clause text; the cross-check result for Beryl is a direct CIBJO definition, also present in the GB/T annex. The same standard also lists the term Green Beryl, defined as the green variety of beryl; the cross-check result for Green Beryl is a direct CIBJO definition, with no identically named English entry found in this edition of the GB/T annex. The IMA Mineral List entry records Beryl with the formula Be3Al2(Si6O18) and naming status G, cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TermClauseDefinitionCross-check
Beryl7.2.1.27see gem varieties aquamarine, emerald, green beryl, goshenite, heliodor, maxixe beryl, morganite, red berylDefined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex.
Green Beryl7.2.1.99Green variety of berylDefined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex.
BerylIMA Mineral List entryBeryl Be3Al2(Si6O18) G ?Cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list (public domain data).

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Listed Table A.1 “Beryl” · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.27 “Beryl” · Source
IMA Mineral List 2026-07
Listed “Beryl” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related pages

Treatments recorded for this material

Related entries and topic cluster

Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.

Related-entry tree for Beryl on this site: 11 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Beryl) is marked.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyBeryl minerals and gem varietiesLive
Treatments recorded for this materialHeated / Heat-treated, Filled / Fracture-filled, Irradiated, CoatedLive
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Beryl entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.

Facts editor
Ralph
Reviewer
June
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-21 and 2026-09-26
Last revised
2026-10-13
Purpose
Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

Spotted an error? Report it on the forum