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Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Synthetic product

Synthetic Beryl

Synthetically made beryl, matching natural Beryl in composition; GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.4 lists it as "synthetic beryl". 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 JuneReviewed by RalphLast updated 2026-10-12Who maintains this page

What this page can answer

This page covers

How Synthetic Beryl forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
How to identify Synthetic BerylIdentification points from the research literature
Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic BerylEach value with its source and check date
Synthetic Beryl in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
Listing and disclosing Synthetic BerylThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
Standard clauses that define Synthetic BerylWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked

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

Synthetic beryl is beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈, that human hands have crystallised in a laboratory instead of its arising through natural geological processes. CIBJO calls a synthetic stone an artificial product whose chemical composition, physical properties and structure match the natural counterpart's essentially; synthetic beryl accordingly reproduces the structure and composition of natural beryl. Production relies on controlled crystal-growth techniques in the laboratory — flux or molten-solution growth, or hydrothermal growth — carried out in vessels held at controlled temperature and pressure, bypassing the granitic-pegmatite or metamorphic-hydrothermal ore-forming processes that natural beryl requires.

Scope: Applies to explaining the artificially grown nature of synthetic beryl and its naming and disclosure boundaries; not used to describe the genetic details of any natural beryl deposit.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Emerald Description

Where it forms

Controlled laboratory environment: artificial crystal growth in sealed vessels under controlled temperature and pressure, not a natural geological setting.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Emerald Description

Growth medium: a molten flux/high-temperature solution, or a hydrothermal fluid, supplying the Be, Al and Si components and any colouring elements.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Emerald Description

How it forms, step by step

Prepare Be-, Al- and Si-bearing feedstock (e.g. oxides or salts), adding colouring elements for the intended colour.
Sources GIA Emerald Description
- Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)
Under controlled temperature and pressure, beryl nucleates and grows in a vessel by solution-growth techniques such as the flux (molten-salt) method or hydrothermal growth.
Sources GIA Emerald Description
- Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)
After growth the crystal is cooled/annealed slowly, yielding a synthetic crystal with essentially the same composition and structure as natural beryl.
Sources GIA Emerald Description
- Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)
The whole process is man-made with no natural ore formation; the product must be named and disclosed as e.g. 'synthetic beryl'.
Sources GIA Emerald Description
- Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)

Link to appearance

Its chemical composition, physical properties and structure being essentially those of natural beryl, synthetic beryl looks essentially the same; man-made growth features, however, may be visible, including growth striations, flux residues or hydrothermal "nailhead" inclusions.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Emerald Description

Timescale

The selected authorities give no growth duration for synthetic beryl; laboratory growth is typically on the order of days to weeks, but that level of detail is not stated by the sources.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Emerald Description

Related base materials

Beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈): synthetic-counterpart | Laboratory-grown beryl, with the same composition and structure as natural beryl

Supporting findings

In their chemical, physical and optical properties, synthetic gemstones match their natural equivalents essentially; the difference is that a laboratory grows them, whereas natural mineralisation forms the natural ones.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A general-principle statement, not tied to a single growth method or producer.

Sources GIA Emerald Description

Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)

How it is identified

Synthetic beryl (emerald) can be extremely close to natural emerald in appearance, which cannot settle its identity. Identification is a laboratory task: immersion microscopy of internal inclusions and growth zoning is combined with chemical analysis that detects flux or other synthesis residues, in order to separate natural, synthetic and treated material; the verdict must come from an accredited body.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Synthetic beryl determinations require an accredited laboratory; no do-it-yourself method is offered.

Sources G&G Winter 2016

Inclusions in Natural, Synthetic, and Treated Emerald (Gems & Gemology, Winter 2016)

Synthetic beryl, including synthetic emerald, is man-made beryl. Such material is man-made, so natural origin determination does not apply. Origin determination is meaningful only for natural stones: for synthetic material the synthesis or treatment status has to be settled first, and a place name attached to it is at most a brand or a place of manufacture, not a geological source. Any separation of species or naturalness must be issued by a qualified laboratory for a specific specimen, and origin cannot be inferred from appearance or name.

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

CIBJO defines a synthetic stone as an artificial product whose chemical composition, physical properties and structure match those of its natural counterpart essentially; synthetic beryl is defined along these lines.

Evidence grade A

Scope: The definition is classificatory/naming-level and does not describe any specific growth process.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022)

A synthetic stone shall be described by the correct natural-counterpart name immediately preceded by 'synthetic', 'laboratory-grown' or 'laboratory-created'; synthetic beryl must carry that prefix and not omit it.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A naming and disclosure rule; it does not address authenticity testing or provenance.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022)

The chemical composition of beryl (including synthetic beryl) is Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Ideal formula only; excludes trace chromophores and inclusions.

Sources GIA Emerald Description

Emerald Gemstone | Emerald Stone – GIA (Gem Encyclopedia)

Limits of this research

Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
The selected sources define the classification and naming of 'synthetic stones' but do not document the specific growth apparatus, temperatures or producers of synthetic beryl; flux/hydrothermal routes are presented as the conventional laboratory approach.
The record does not enumerate every laboratory identification feature distinguishing synthetic from natural beryl.

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: Synthetic Beryl

GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Beryl” · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 4.3.3.1

Construction or treatment status

Synthetic product

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

"Synthetic Beryl" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.

Evidence

GB/T · Table A.4, row 合成绿柱石 (Synthetic Beryl)

What this means for you

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

Known uncertainty

This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
See “Disclosure and cautions” above

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01

Trade-name ruling

Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.

Suggested listing name: Synthetic Beryl

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Standard and listing namesThe name listed in GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 for Synthetic Beryl is the Chinese for synthetic beryl; the mineralogical name is Synthetic beryl, and the suggested listing name is Synthetic Beryl. Names in four languagesThe four-language names cover Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Synthetic Beryl) and Japanese. On the GSJ (Japan) formal name, the GSJ wording is not yet verified by this site, and the entry's own Japanese name is shown. Institution usageOn authority wording, FTC and CIBJO have been checked and their texts have no wording for Synthetic Beryl; the wording of GIA and Gem-A has not yet been checked. For bodies without a record, the entry gives its own English name, which does not represent their position.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A: Synthetic Beryl (no wording for this name in the FTC, CIBJO text on file; GIA, Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)

GSJ (Japan) formal name: 合成ベリル (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
Chinese formal name: 合成绿柱石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4)
Mineralogical name: Synthetic beryl

Four-language names

简体中文: 合成绿柱石
繁體中文: 合成綠柱石
English: Synthetic Beryl
日本語: 合成ベリル

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

Classification

Origin: Artificial products / Manufactured products
Material domain: Artificial products / Manufactured products
Browsing family: Synthetic gem products
Identity tier: Artificial product type
Mineral chemical class: Mixed / composition-dependent
Construction or treatment status: Synthetic product

What it is and how it's identified

The basic facts registered for Synthetic Beryl from GB/T 16553—2017 include: the chemical formula is Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈, and Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga and Rb may be present, with red material also carrying Ti and Cr; the structure is crystalline, hexagonal, with flux-grown crystals forming hexagonal prisms and hydrothermal crystals forming tablets. For durability, Mohs hardness is 7.5–8 with one direction of imperfect cleavage; this site notes that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability. Density is 2.65–2.73 g/cm³. Optically, the optic character is anisotropic, uniaxial, negative; refractive index is 1.568–1.572 and birefringence 0.004–0.006; this site notes that refractive index and birefringence are the usual typical values given by the cited clause, not absolute limits, and that refractive index has finer sub-ranges, with the overall value taken for registration. When untreated, Synthetic Beryl has a vitreous lustre.

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

Synthetic Beryl — composition (chemistry): Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈; Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga and Rb can be present, and red material may also carry Ti and Cr.

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Structure

Synthetic 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — structure (crystal habit): hexagonal prisms from flux growth; plates from hydrothermal growth.

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Durability

Synthetic Beryl — Mohs hardness: 7.5–8

GB/T 16553—2017

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Physical properties

Synthetic Beryl — density: 2.65–2.73 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

Specific gravitySource: 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Optical

Synthetic 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — refractive index: 1.568–1.572

GB/T 16553—2017

Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply: applies to this entry

Qualification: The clause we cite gives this as a typical value. It is a common value, not an absolute limit.
General note: the clause has finer ranges

Source & check 2026-09-21

Source

GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — birefringence: 0.004–0.006

GB/T 16553—2017

BirefringenceSource: GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply: applies to this entry

Qualification: The clause we cite gives this as a typical value. It is a common value, not an absolute limit.

Source & check 2026-09-21

Source

GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — pleochroism: strong in both colours — red stones: orange-red and purple-red; red-purple stones: orange-red and red-purple.

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — fluorescence (overall): none

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — spectrum (UV-visible): 585 nm absorption peak; 560 nm absorption peak; 545 nm absorption band; 530 nm weak absorption band; 500 nm weak absorption band; 435~465 nm broad absorption band.

GB/T 16553—2017

Absorption spectrum (schematic)Line = absorption peak; hatching = absorption band; heavier or darker = higher recorded strength grade (not a measured intensity); Schematic: positions and strength grades as given by the cited source, not a measured curveSource: 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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — spectrum (infrared): Si-O and similar groups in beryl vibrate to give the diagnostic mid-IR bands. Flux-grown synthetic beryl lacks the OH-vibration bands of the functional-group region altogether, whereas hydrothermally grown synthetic beryl shows bands there (OH, mineralizers and so on) unlike those of natural beryl.

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-22)

Fact checked on

2026-09-22

Synthetic Beryl — magnification: flux method: leftover flux forming veils, networks or occasionally small droplets, platelets of platinum, crystals of phenakite, straight, even parallel growth faces; hydrothermal method: branching (dendritic) growth striations, nail-shaped inclusions, crystals of phenakite, metal inclusions, a colourless seed plate, fine two-phase inclusions lined up in parallel, two-phase inclusions shaped like parallel tubes.

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): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-21)

Fact checked on

2026-09-21

Synthetic Beryl — body colour: red, purple, pink, light blue, etc.

GB/T 16553—2017

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

Qualification: The colours GB/T 16553—2017 lists for Beryl overlap with this entry: red, pink and blue (the beryl clause gives blue, this entry light blue).
General note: colour alone is not identity

Source & check 2026-09-26

Source

GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.5 (locator checked 2026-09-26)

Fact checked on

2026-09-26

Quality factors

Synthetic 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): §5.4.5 (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.

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.57 / 2.69; Closest values: 1Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7, 2Scapolite 1.558 / 2.67, 3Iolite 1.563 / 2.61, 4Qingtian Stone 1.565 / 2.77, 5Aquamarine 1.58 / 2.79

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)

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)

Clause-level definitions

The English name recorded in the clause-level definition for Synthetic Beryl is Synthetic Beryl, based on GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A, and the definition reads simply Synthetic Beryl. The cross-check result is listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Term	Clause	Definition	Cross-check
Synthetic Beryl	GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A	Synthetic beryl	Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017: Listed Table A.4 “Synthetic Beryl” · Source
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: Naming rule 4.3.3.1 · Source

Sources

Further reading

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.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Page	Content	Status
Browsing family	Synthetic gem products	Live
Related articles	To be added (placeholder)	Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Synthetic 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: June
Reviewer: Ralph
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: 2026-10-12
Purpose: Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

Spotted an error? Report it on the forum