RocksdayBeryl vs Goshenite
To tell Beryl from Goshenite: Goshenite is beryl with no coloring element.
A beryllium silicate behind emerald (green), aquamarine (blue) and morganite (pink). It grows as neat six-sided columns with flat ends.
Photo: Reno Chris at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Colorless beryl — the same mineral as emerald and aquamarine, without the impurities that give those their color.
Photo: Géry PARENT, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key differences
- Goshenite is beryl with no coloring element.
Side by side
| Property | Beryl | Goshenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 | 7.5–8 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow | Clear, White |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Hexagonal |
| Specific gravity | 2.63–2.92 | 2.7–2.9 |
| Formula | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ |
| Found in | Muzo, Colombia; Minas Gerais, Brazil | Goshen, Massachusetts; Minas Gerais, Brazil |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify beryl
- Six-sided columns with flat, not pointed, ends.
- Harder than quartz (7.5–8).
- Glassy, often with lengthwise lines.
- Found in granite pegmatites.
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Full Beryl guide →How to identify goshenite
- Water-clear six-sided columns with flat ends.
- Harder than quartz.
- Often in pegmatites with other beryl.
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Full Goshenite guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between beryl and goshenite?
Beryl is a mineral (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a vitreous luster, usually green, blue, pink or yellow. Goshenite is a mineral (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a vitreous luster, usually colorless or white.
How can you tell beryl from goshenite?
Goshenite is beryl with no coloring element.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
Play today's Rocksday