Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Carrière du Pécou, Barost, Haute-Vienne, France
SIZE : 5.2 x 2.8 x 2.3 cm

The crystal of beryl (heliodore variety) comes from a French mineral deposit in Haute-Vienne area: the mineral deposit of Barost. It measures 5.2 x 2.8 x 2.3 cm and is slightly corroded.

Its colour is pale greenish yellow and it is transparent. The crystal was given to the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in 1907 by Mr Boichard who bought it for 49.50 francs.

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 :Héliodore

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "βερυλλοσ" [beryllos] that designed precious stones having the color 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 : 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 : 2,63-2,97

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

Heliodore

MNHN N°107.193

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