mineral
Massive blue-green rough specimen, likely aquamarine (beryl)
Beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ (tentative identification)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale blue-green, vitreous to dull and irregularly fractured; beryl has Mohs hardness 7.5–8, hexagonal crystals, and poor basal cleavage. The photo does not show diagnostic crystal faces or tests, so identification is uncertain.
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Physical properties
Pale blue-green, vitreous to dull and irregularly fractured; beryl has Mohs hardness 7.5–8, hexagonal crystals, and poor basal cleavage. The photo does not show diagnostic crystal faces or tests, so identification is uncertain.
Formation & geological history
Beryl crystallizes from silica-rich granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins as magma cools; specimens may be hundreds of millions to billions of years old, depending on their deposit.
Uses & applications
Gem-quality aquamarine is cut for jewelry; lower-grade beryl is collected, while beryl also serves as a source of beryllium.
Geological facts
Aquamarine is the blue-to-blue-green gem variety of beryl; its color is commonly linked to trace iron.
Field identification & locations
Compare with beryl’s hexagonal prismatic crystals and high hardness; the pictured massive form is not enough to confirm it, and could be another blue-gray mineral. Aquamarine-bearing pegmatites occur in Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, and elsewhere.
