Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : unknown
SIZE : 43 x 19 x 19 mm
WEIGHT : 150 carats

This specimen is a carved prism of aquamarina (cf detail 1). The base of the prism corresponds to the hexagonal shape of the original crystal, while the higher section is carved and represents a sitting dog (visible on the 3D view). The whole sample measures 43 x 19 x 19 mm with a weight of 150 carats.
The provenance locality for this aquamarina is unknown. This carved specimen was offered to the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle by Mrs Dina Level and is kept in the storage rooms of the collections (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photographie and 3D view: 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 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 Ancientss
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°203.115

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