The Gemstone Heliodor and Golden Beryl

Heliodor and Golden Beryl are the greenish-yellow to yellow varieties of Beryl. Beryl is best known for its famous gem varieties Emerald and Aquamarine, but other varieties such as Heliodor and Golden Beryl are also used as gemstones. In a strict sense, Heliodor and Golden Beryl are distinguished by their color, where Heliodor has a greenish-yellow hue, and Golden Beryl is a purer yellow or an orange-yellow. However, in both the mineral and gemstone trade, this distinction is not usually made and both terms are interchangeable, with the term Golden Beryl being the more frequently used term in the gemstone market. The term Heliodor may also be used to describe light green, orange, and brown Beryl.

Chemical Formula	Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
Color	Yellow, Orange, Brown
Hardness	7.5 - 8.0
Crystal System	Hexagonal
Refractive Index	1.57 - 1.58
SG	2.6 - 2.8
Transparency	Transparent
Double Refraction	.006
Luster	Vitreous
Cleavage	3,1 - basal
Mineral Class	Beryl

Golden Beryl AUCTIONS

ALL ABOUT

They name Heliodor is fairly recent, and is derived from the Greek term "Gift from the Sun", in allusion to its yellow color. Its name was coined in the early 20th century, when significant deposits of this form of Beryl were discovered that enabled it to be more available as a gemstone. Some Heliodor and Golden Beryl crystals can be quite large, and may also be in flawless crystals that can produce very large clear gemstones.

USES

Heliodor and Golden Beryl are a minor yellow gemstones, being faceted into gemstone cuts as well as polished into cabochons.

OTHER NAMES

Heliodorite

Golden Beryl TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS

Heliodor and Golden Beryl gemstones are usually in their natural colors and not treated or enhanced.

Golden Beryl SOURCES

The main sources of this gemstone are Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, and the Ukraine.

SIMILAR GEMSTONES

Topaz and Citrine gemstones usually have a more orange tinge, although pure yellow Topaz and bright yellow Citrine ("Lemon Quartz") can have the same color and appear very similar. Chrysoberyl can also appear very similar and may be difficult to distinguish.

Golden Beryl PHOTOS [Click photos for more details]

In the images below, we are noting a distinction between Golden Beryl which contains a bright yellow color, and Heliodor, which has a greenish hue to it. However, the names are often interchangeable so either term is technically acceptable.