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Properties of Beryl:
Beryl is a relatively uncommon silicate mineral that can be found in many different colors due to chemical impurities. It is often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Beryl has a vitreous, non-metallic luster and a Moh’s hardness of 7.5. Beryl tends to form hexagonal shaped crystals. The vibrant colors and hardness of beryl make it a popular choice for scratch-resistant jewelry.
Beryl in North Carolina:
The western part of North Carolina contains many bands of valuable minerals and ores. Beryl can be found here and is typically found inside igneous rocks like granite. Hiddenite and Spruce Pine are two popular rockhounding sites that are known for nice samples of beryl.
Fun facts:
Gemstone-quality beryl is sometimes called by other names based on color. Popular names for this mineral are emerald (green), aquamarine (blue), morganite (pink), and heliodor (yellow).
Beryllium (mined from beryl) is rare because it can be expensive to mine and extract. A special alloy made from beryllium was used in the mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope for its durability and resistance to extreme temperature changes.
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