Red Beryl
| Also known as | Beryl (Beryl family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Red, Pink |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Indistinct |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Specific gravity | 2.66–2.87 |
What is Red Beryl?
Red beryl, formerly known as bixbite and marketed as red emerald or scarlet emerald, is an extremely rare variety of beryl as well as one of the rarest minerals on Earth. The gem gets its red color from manganese ions incorporated within the beryl crystal structure. The color of red beryl is stable up to 1,000 °C (1,830 °F). Red beryl can come in various tints like strawberry, bright ruby, cherry, and orange.
How to identify Red Beryl
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 7.5–8 — hard enough to scratch glass.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Hexagonal crystal system.
Red Beryl in different forms
Stones often confused with Red Beryl
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Red Beryl?
Red Beryl is Mohs 7.5–8 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Red Beryl?
Red Beryl is typically red, pink (Dark red).