Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Chumar-Bakar, Hunza, Pakistan
SIZE : 27.5 x 16 x 11 cm

This specimen shows several crystals of aquamarina, overlapping each another, with muscovite crystal forming "roses" (cf detail 1).

The largest crystal of this sample measures 16 cm. Some of these crystals of aquamarine are biterminated.

Coming from the Chumar-Bakar in Pakistan, this specimen measures 27.5 x 16 x 11 cm. Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Beryl
VARIETY :Aquamarina

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

Word used en 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°192.20

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