Beryl

Introduction: Namibia has some of the finest deposits of aquamarine in the world. It is named from the Greek beryllos, their word that describes a 'blue-green gemstone' and its hardness, durability and transparency make it the perfect gemstone. The coloured varieties of aquamarine, morganite, emerald and heliodor, make beryl much sought after by gemmologists, mineral collectors and lapidarists.

Distribution: Found around Klein Spitzkoppe, west of Erongo, Rössing and in concentrations in pegmatites from Brandberg West-Uis in the north, to Sandamap-Karibib-Usakos and in Tantalite Valley in the south of Namibia. To date, over 50 pegmatites have been mined for beryl. Magnificent blue crystals have also been collected in the Erongo Mountains, associated with white feldspar, green fluorite, black schorl tourmaline and quartz.

Composition: Silicate

Crystal system: Hexagonal

Lustre: Vitreous

Streak: White

Hardness: 2.6-2.9