RocksdayBeryl vs Heliodor
To tell Beryl from Heliodor: Heliodor is the yellow variety of beryl.
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
Yellow to golden beryl, colored by iron. It grows as the same six-sided columns as emerald and aquamarine.
Photo: Parent Géry, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key differences
- Heliodor is the yellow variety of beryl.
Side by side
| Property | Beryl | Heliodor |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 | 7.5–8 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow | Yellow, Gold |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Hexagonal |
| Specific gravity | 2.63–2.92 | 2.7–2.9 |
| Formula | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ |
| Found in | Muzo, Colombia; Minas Gerais, Brazil | Volodarsk, Ukraine; 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 heliodor
- Yellow hexagonal prisms with flat ends.
- Hardness 7.5–8 — scratches quartz.
- Lighter in the hand than a yellow sapphire or a garnet.
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Full Heliodor guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between beryl and heliodor?
Beryl is a mineral (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a vitreous luster, usually green, blue, pink or yellow. Heliodor is a mineral (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) with a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8 and a vitreous luster, usually yellow or golden.
How can you tell beryl from heliodor?
Heliodor is the yellow variety of beryl.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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