Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Nagar, Pakistan
SIZE : 13.5 x 11 x 5 cm

This beryl aquamarine shows two hexagonal prisms (cf detail 2) with bright pale blue facets, resting on a plate composed of muscovite crystals. This sample measures 13,5 x 11 x 5 cm.

This sample, acquired thanks to support from Total, was extracted from the pegmatites discovered in the area of Nagar in Pakistan. These pegmatites belong to a very large district located on the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pegmatites of the area of Nagar are difficult to access because of their high elevation (more than 3500 meters high).

This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Beryl
VARIETY :Aquamarina

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "βερυλλοσ" [beryllos] that designed precious stones having the color of seawater

Word used in 77 by Caius Plinius Secundus better known as Pliny the Elder (AD 23 – August 24, AD 79), an ancient author, naturalist and naval and military commander

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Béril

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Be3 Al2 Si6O18
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Hexagonal
COLOR : Colourless, white, green, yellow, pink, red, blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, hexagonal, forming aggregates, massive
HARDNESS : 7,5-8,0
DENSITY : 2,64

CHEMICAL CLASS : IX - Silicates
GROUP : Beryl
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/E.12-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.CJ.05

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Beryl

Aquamarina

MNHN N°190.44

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