Beryl << BEHR uhl >> is a hard mineral composed of beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. Although pure beryl is colorless, most beryl crystals have impurities that give them various colorings of blue, green, red, and yellow. Emerald is a dark green beryl. Aquamarine is pale blue or bluish-green beryl. People use beryl crystals mostly as gemstones. Beryl also is a source of the chemical element beryllium. Major uses of beryllium include parts for rockets and missiles, and windows in X-ray tubes.
Most beryl crystals are hexagonal (six-sided). They can measure up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) long. The best emeralds come from Colombia. Gem quality beryl also occurs in Brazil, Russia, South Africa, the United States, and Zimbabwe. Commercial laboratories produce gem quality beryl.
See also Aquamarine; Beryllium; Emerald; Gem.
