Beryl gemstone - Essay Example

Beryl gemstones have the following unique characteristics: Beryls were formed millions of years ago in the core of the earth where pressure and temperature combined to form volatile-rich hydrothermal fluids (that were rich in the mineral beryllium), in pegmatite bodies (Amonline.net.au, 2004). Beryl does occur in colourless form, but this is very rare. In nearly all cases, the interaction with minerals resulted in storage of small amounts of foreign substances (metallic oxides). These metallic oxides are responsible for the colour in beryl gemstones.

The beryl family consists of goshenite, aquamarine, emerald, morganite and heliodor. Goshenite is the colourless form of beryl gemstones, but due to its rare deposits, it occupies a nearly insignificant status within the beryl family (Gemstone.org). The word ‘aquamarine’ is the direct combination of two Latin words ‘aqua’ and ‘marine,’ meaning ‘water’ and ‘sea’ (Bernardine.com, 2007). Aquamarine gemstones have a fine spectrum of sea-blue colours as a result of beryl’s interaction with iron.

They do have inclusions, but these do not adversely affect the gemstone’s appreciable hardness and lovely shine, making it the favourite gemstone of innovative designers (Gemstone. org). The name ‘emerald’ is derived from the French word ‘esmeraudi’ and the Greek root word ‘samargdos,’ which means ‘green gemstone’ (Bernardine.com, 2007). Emeralds are the most valuable gemstones in the beryl family. They have a wonderful green colour as a consequence of beryl’s interaction with chrome and vanadium.

Like aquamarines, emeralds too have inclusions but these are looked upon as the gemstone’s identifying characteristic – a fact that has led appreciative connoisseurs to call this feature ‘jardin’ (meaning ‘garden’) of the emerald (Gemstone.org). Morganite gemstones have a lovely pink colour, the spectrum of which ranges from light pink to violet. The