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Composition Golden beryl can differ in hue from pale yellow to bright gold. Unlike emerald, golden beryl is normally free of inclusions. Hexagonal crystals of beryl may grow to several meters in height. Pure beryl is colorless, and is then colored by impurities; potential color ranges include green, blue, yellow, and the very rare red.   Black beryl can also be used as a mining source of beryllium.    History During the Middle Ages, lenses were made of colorless beryl because glass could not be produced transparent enough. As a consequence, glasses were dubbed "brillen" in Germany. "Golden Beryl" is often synonymous with heliodor, from the Greek translation...

Composition  Azurite is one of two copper carbonates; malachite is the other. The mineral azurite is present in Sinai and the Egyptian desert. It exists in the oxidized portions of copper ore produced in large nodules. The saturated color varies, transitioning from light blue into shades of indigo, which can include bands of light blue.  It is one of the oldest pigments, used for millennia in painting and the dyeing of cloth.   History Azurite has been commonly used throughout history, and was described by Pliny the Elder under the Greek and Latin names kuanos and caeruleum, respectively. The mineral azurite is present in...

Composition Aventurine is a type of quartz characterized by its translucency, and the presence of mineral inclusions which give off a shimmering or glistening effect called aventurescence. The most prevalent color of aventurine is green which comes from Fushite particles found inside of the Quartz. The bulk of green and blue-green aventurine derives from India.   History The word aventurine comes from the Italian "a ventura" meaning "by chance." One myth runs that this kind of glass was initially produced inadvertently in Venice by a glassmith, who let some copper flakes fall into the liquid “metal,” from which the new substance was called avventurino. ...

Composition Astrophyllite is an uncommon, brown to golden-yellow hydrous titanium silicate mineral. Owing to its scarce supply and high expense, astrophyllite is rarely used in an ornamental capacity but it is sometimes fashioned into cabachons. History Heavy, soft and brittle, astrophyllite usually generates radiating, stellate structures. This form gives astrophyllite its name, which comes from the Greek "astron" meaning "star" and "phyllon" meaning "leaf". The first specimen was identified in 1854 on Laven Island, Norway. Healing properties Astrophyllite is a very powerful stone, which imbues the whole body with light, thus assisting you to understand your true reason for being here. Stated...

Composition Aquamarine is a blue or cyan-colored variation of beryl that is typically found alongside other beryl-bearing rocks. The light blue colour of aquamarine is due to presence of iron oxide and forms in large columns. Aquamarine is mined in numerous countries including the United States, Brazil, and India. History Aquamarine is named after the Latin term for sea water. In ancient mythology, Aquamarine was thought to be the treasure of mermaids, and its usage is an intrinsic source of good health, fearlessness and safety. The greatest aquamarine ever mined was in Brazil in 1910 weighing over 110kg. The ancient Romans claimed that...