Rich bluish-green to pure vivid green; trace chromium and vanadium impart the signature emerald hue.
Chemical formula
Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ + Cr³⁺/V³⁺ (Beryllium Aluminum Silicate with Chromium and/or Vanadium)
Beryl • Beryl
Goshenite
Water-clear colorless to faint silvery-white; represents the purest chemical expression of the beryl species.
Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ (Chemically pure Beryllium Aluminum Silicate)Mohs 7.5 – 8.0 Mohs
Mineralogical & Gemological Profile
| Mineral Family | Beryl |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Beryl |
| Gemological Variety | Goshenite (Colorless Beryl) |
| Chemical Composition | Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ (Chemically pure Beryllium Aluminum Silicate) |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Mohs Hardness | 7.5 – 8.0 Mohs |
| Specific Gravity | 2.68 – 2.75 |
| Refractive Index | 1.572 – 1.580 |
Color Characteristics & Optical Behavior
Water-clear colorless to faint silvery-white; represents the purest chemical expression of the beryl species.
Geological Context & Pakistani / Global Localities
Found in miarolitic cavities in granitic pegmatites in Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan), Minas Gerais (Brazil), and Goshen, Massachusetts (USA).
Collector Interest & Rarity Factors
Sharp, glassy tabular and prismatic crystals on matrix from Shigar and Shengus (Pakistan) are highly sought after by mineral collectors.
Fine Jewelry Applications
Precision-cut goshenite offers bright, clean white luster for minimalist rings and pendants.
Treatment Considerations & Disclosure
Colorless goshenite is typically untreated, though it is sometimes used as starting material for irradiation into yellow or blue beryl.
Care & Cleaning Instructions
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
Traditional Meaning
Traditional Symbolism & Cultural Heritage
Historically used for early optical lenses; symbolizes transparency, truth, and intellectual focus.
Note: Cultural and birthstone traditions are presented strictly as historical folklore, never as scientifically verified medical or metaphysical effects.
Beryl
Related Entries
Pastel sky blue to deep sea-blue and greenish-blue, colored by trace iron within the hexagonal channel structure.
Chemical formula
Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ + Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺
Soft rose pink, peach, and salmon-pink hues caused by trace manganese; often forms flat tabular hexagonal crystals.
Chemical formula
Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆ + Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺