hexagonal Synthetic synthetic beryl
Flux-Grown Emerald (Crystal)
Formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6:Cr
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Flux-Grown Emerald
#! System: Hexagonal (6/mmm)
#! Habit: Prismatic crystal from flux growth
hexagonal[6/mmm]:{10-10}@1.0 + {0001}@0.3
hexagonal
6/mmm
{10-10} {0001}
Quick Facts
Hardness
7.5
Specific Gravity
2.65
Refractive Index
1.56
Optical Character
Uniaxial -
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- hexagonal
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.5
- Specific Gravity
- 2.65
- Cleavage
- Imperfect basal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Lustre
- Vitreous
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.56
- Birefringence
- 0.003
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial -
- Dispersion
- 0.014
- Pleochroism
- strong: bluish-green / yellowish-green
- Fluorescence
- Usually strong red (LW UV), weak to inert (SW UV)
Origin & Identification
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Growth Method
- Flux
- Manufacturer
- Chatham, Gilson, Lennix
- First Produced
- 1935
- Diagnostic Features
- Flux inclusions (wispy veils, fingerprints), phenakite crystals, platinum platelets, lower SG than natural (2.65-2.66 vs 2.67-2.78), lower RI than natural (1.560-1.563 vs 1.565-1.602), strong red fluorescence under Chelsea filter
Characteristics
Colours
GreenBluish-green
Common Inclusions
Flux veilsPhenakite crystalsPlatinum plateletsWispy flux remnants
Natural Counterpart
The natural gem this synthetic imitates
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the hexagonal system
