Berly is a silicate mineral. The chemical formula is Be3Al2(SiO3)6. The hardness of beryl gemstone is 7.5 on Moh's scale. There are different varieties of beryl depending upon its colour like Morganite, Bixbite, Goshenite, Green beryl, Heliodor, Maxixe etc

Morganite | Pink Beryl

One of the many popular varieties of beryl is the Morganite gemstone. It is pink in colour and often called as pink beryl.  It is sometimes also called as Pink Emerald in the trade.

The first morganite crystal was discovered by Mr. J.P.Morgan in 1911 in Madagascar and thus this gemstone was named after him. Although morganite gemstone is rarer than aquamarine gemstone. It has not been able to capture the market as a fine gem to be used in jewelry. Though in the recent times a demand has been seen in the consumers for morganite earrings and morganite rings. The pink morganite also goes very well with the yellow colour of a gold ring.

Morganite gemstone has a refractive index of 1.583 to 1.590 and specific gravity of 2.80 to 2.91.

This pink beryl morganite derives its colour from the alkali metals caesium and rubidium present in it. It is found in pink, rose, peach and salmon colours, pink and rose being more popular among the four colours. In the market morganites are less traded in form of morganite beads but rather cut, faceted and marketed more as morganite gems.

The price of best quality natural morganite depends upon the colour, clarity and cut of the gemstone and mainly on the demand from the consumer. Price of Morganite gemstone is often very low and should be easily available from US$ 1 per carat to US$10 per carat depending upon various factors.

Besides Madagascar, Morganite gemstone is also found in other countries of the world like Namibia, Zambia, Minas Gerais in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Norway, North Ireland and The United States.

Morganites are often heat treated to remove the yellow tinge in the original rough stones.
 

Bixbite | Red Beryl

Bixbite  is the red variety of beryl. Its refractive index is 1.566 to 1.572 and has a specific gravity of 2.66 to 2.70. This gemstone's colour ranges from red to pinkish red and the colour occurs from the manganese present in it.

Bixbite - also known as red beryl- being the rarest of the beryl group discovered by Maynard Bixby and thus named after him as Bixbite. Some dealers in the trade called it 'red emerald' as it belongs to the beryl group. However most will agree that emerald gemstone is a standard for a green colour gem and cannot be associated with any other colour.

Red beryl gemstone bixbite is found in the Wah Wah mountains in Utah in The United States. Due to its rarity, this red beryl gemstone is more of a collector’s item and would be of high value. hence, bixbite jewelry is rarely seen in the market.

Heliodor | Yellow Beryl

Heliodor the yellow coloured beryl is also called as yellow beryl or golden beryl. Its refractive index is 1.577 to 1.583 and has a specific gravity of 2.72.

The name Heliodor comes from two Greek words, “Helios” means sun and “Doron” means gift. Although heliodor is more rare and precious than the aquamarine gemstone, it is not as valuable. These gemstones are used in high fashion jewelry and are cut in all type of fancy cuts. Some of the light yellow coloured beryls when heated turn into aquamarines.

Yellow beryl rough crystals are typically found in all the places where the light blue coloured aquamarine gemstone is mined. The common places where this gemstone rough is mined are India, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Norway, North Ireland and Brazil. The most important being The United States (Merryall or Roebling mine at New Milford, Connecticut)

Goshenite | Colorless Beryl

Goshenite is the colorless variety of beryl. It has a vitreous polish luster. The refractive index of this colorless beryl is 1.577 to 1.583 and has a specific gravity of 2.72.

This gem is named after the locality in Goshen in The US. Its indian name is Beruj and is found in US, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Norway, North Ireland and Brazil.

Green Beryl

Green beryl is the pale lighter green variety of beryl. It has a refractive index of 1.577 to 1.583 and specific gravity of 2.72. For many years green beryl was called as emerald.  Unlike emerald gemstone the main trace element in this gem is iron and at times a little chromium. It is found in Brazil, Zimbabwe and Australia.

Maxixe | Blue Beryl

Maxixe is the very beautiful dark blue coloured gem of the beryl group. It has a vitreous polish luster. This beryl also has a refractive index of 1.577 to 1.583 and specific gravity of 2.72. This gemstone created hype in the market when it first appeared in 1973. However, the gem fades rapidly when exposed to light or heat. Owing to this property of the gem it is impractical to set it in jewelry. Maxixie beryl or blue beryl specimen is often bought by gemstone collectors as a collection gem.

Interesting Trivia and other facts of Beryl Gemstone

The world's most beautiful berlys (specially emeralds) are said to come from the mine at Muzo which, with the mine at cosquez is owned by the Colombian government.

The common inclusion found in beryl are liquid and two phase inclusions, hollow or liquid filled parallel tubes and fingerprints.

All factors remaining the same beryls are priced in this order - Red Beryl-Bixbite, Blue Beryl-Maxixe, Yellow Beryl-Heliodor, Pink Beryl-Morganite, Green Beryl and lastly White Beryl-Goshenite.

Reference

1) Webster
2) Gemmology by Peter G.Read
3) Handbook of Gem Identification -   Richard  T.Liddicoat, jr
4) Gems and Crystals - From the American  Museum of Natural History - Anna S.Sofianides  and George E.Harlow.