Chrysoberyl
| Colour | Yellow, Green, Blue, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 8.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | Distinct on {110}, imperfect on {010}, poor on {001} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | BeAl 2 O 4 |
| Specific gravity | 3.5–3.84 |
What is Chrysoberyl?
The mineral or gemstone chrysoberyl is an aluminate of beryllium with the formula Be Al2O4. The name chrysoberyl is derived from the Greek words χρυσός chrysos and βήρυλλος beryllos, meaning "a gold-white spar". Despite the similarity of their names, chrysoberyl and beryl are two completely different gemstones, although they both contain beryllium and aluminium. Chrysoberyl is the third-hardest frequently encountered natural gemstone and lies at 8.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, between corundum (9) and topaz (8).
How to identify Chrysoberyl
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 8.5 — hard enough to scratch glass.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Chrysoberyl in different forms
Stones often confused with Chrysoberyl
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Chrysoberyl?
Chrysoberyl is Mohs 8.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Chrysoberyl?
Chrysoberyl is typically yellow, green, blue, brown (Various shades of green, emerald-green yellow, blue, brownish to greenish black, may be raspberry-red under incandescent).