Red Beryl

A variety of Beryl

Precious GemstoneRare
Red Beryl specimen

What is Red Beryl?

The rarest variety of beryl, this mineral is so rare that only one red Beryl is mined for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds. It is found only in the USA and big-sized stones are extremely difficult to mine. Also known as red emerald, red Beryl is extremely expensive due to its beauty and rarity.

Optical Properties

Refractive Index
1.560-1.576
Birefringence
0.005-0.009
Pleochroism
  • Red beryl - distinct: orangey-red, purplish-red
  • Golden beryl - weak: yellowish, greenish-yellow
  • Green beryl - distinct: yellow-green, blue-green
Optical Character
Uniaxial negative
Dispersion
0.014

Market Value Factors

Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Red Beryl before comparing listings or appraisals.

Size & Weight

Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.

Rarity & Demand

Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.

Condition & Finish

Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.

Treatment & Provenance

Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.

Applies to all rocks & minerals.

Red Beryl Localities Map

See where Red Beryl is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview
North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Interactive map layers and collecting notes are available in the app.

Key Characteristics

Composition of Red Beryl

Berylium, Aluminum, Silicon, Oxygen

Quick Facts

Physical Properties

Color
Gooseberry red, carmine red, scarlet red
Hardness (Mohs)
7.5 - 8
Density
2.66 - 2.7 g/cm³
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous, Sub-vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
Crystal System
Hexagonal

Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula
Be3Al2Si6O18
Elements
Al, Be, O, Si
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Red Beryl FAQs

How do I identify Red Beryl?

Red Beryl can be identified by its hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale, Gooseberry red color, Vitreous, Sub-vitreous, Waxy, Greasy luster, Hexagonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Red Beryl?

Red Beryl typically appears in Gooseberry red, carmine red, scarlet red. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Red Beryl?

Red Beryl has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a relatively hard mineral suitable for jewelry.

What is the composition of red beryl of Red Beryl?

Berylium, Aluminum, Silicon, Oxygen

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