Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Xuebaoding, Pingwu, Sichuan area, China
SIZE : 13.5 x 10.7 cm

This sample of beryl, goshenite variety. It is lightly bluish, transaprent and sometimes gem. It measures 13.5 x 10.7 cm.

This sample shows a particular shape - crystal more or less hexagonal, flat - that is the characteristic of morganites (pink beryl). It shows overdevelopement on one of its facets.

This beryl comes from Xuebaoding in Sichuan area, China. It has been acquired thanks to the support from Total. It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Beryl
VARIETY :Goshenite

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

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 : Colorless, 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 : 2,63-2,97

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

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Beryl

Goshenite

MNHN N°206.158

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