hexagonal Synthetic synthetic beryl
Hydrothermal Emerald (Crystal)
Formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6:Cr,V
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Hydrothermal Emerald
#! System: Hexagonal (6/mmm)
#! Habit: Prismatic crystal from hydrothermal growth
hexagonal[6/mmm]:{10-10}@1.0 + {10-11}@0.6 + {0001}@0.3
hexagonal
6/mmm
{10-10} {10-11} {0001}
Quick Facts
Hardness
7.5
Specific Gravity
2.68
Refractive Index
1.568
Optical Character
Uniaxial -
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- hexagonal
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.5
- Specific Gravity
- 2.68
- Cleavage
- Imperfect basal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Lustre
- Vitreous
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.568
- Birefringence
- 0.005
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial -
- Dispersion
- 0.014
- Pleochroism
- strong: bluish-green / yellowish-green
- Fluorescence
- Variable, often red (LW UV)
Origin & Identification
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Growth Method
- Hydrothermal
- Manufacturer
- Biron, Tairus, Regency
- First Produced
- 1960
- Diagnostic Features
- Nail-head spicules, chevron growth zoning (seed plate visible), two-phase inclusions along seed plate, higher RI than flux emerald (1.568-1.573), breadcrumb-like inclusions, may show strong red fluorescence
Characteristics
Colours
GreenBluish-green
Common Inclusions
Nail-head spiculesChevron growth zoningSeed plateTwo-phase inclusions
Natural Counterpart
The natural gem this synthetic imitates
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the hexagonal system
