Red Beryl
A variety of Beryl
What is Red Beryl?
The rarest variety of beryl, this mineral is so rare that only one red Beryl is mined for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds. It is found only in the USA and big-sized stones are extremely difficult to mine. Also known as red emerald, red Beryl is extremely expensive due to its beauty and rarity.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.560-1.576
- Birefringence
- 0.005-0.009
- Pleochroism
- Red beryl - distinct: orangey-red, purplish-red
- Golden beryl - weak: yellowish, greenish-yellow
- Green beryl - distinct: yellow-green, blue-green
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial negative
- Dispersion
- 0.014
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Red Beryl before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Where to Find Red Beryl
Red Beryl is a variety of Beryl. RockHoundR, the free-to-download rockhounding map from the Ruby Glint team, shows where collectors find beryl in the US, with land-access notes for BLM land and national forests. Collecting is banned in national parks.
See where to find berylAlways check the local rules and get the landowner's permission before you collect.
Key Characteristics
Composition of Red Beryl
Berylium, Aluminum, Silicon, Oxygen
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Gooseberry red, carmine red, scarlet red
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.5 - 8
- Rock tumbling
- Tumbles well
- Density
- 2.66 - 2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, Sub-vitreous, Waxy, Greasy
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Be3Al2Si6O18
- Elements
- Al, Be, O, Si
Identify Red Beryl Instantly
- Snap a photo, get instant results
- 6,700+ rocks, minerals & crystals
- Discover collecting spots near you
Red Beryl FAQs
How do I identify Red Beryl?
Red Beryl can be identified by its hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale, Gooseberry red color, Vitreous, Sub-vitreous, Waxy, Greasy luster, Hexagonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Red Beryl?
Red Beryl typically appears in Gooseberry red, carmine red, scarlet red. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Red Beryl?
Red Beryl has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a relatively hard mineral suitable for jewelry.
What is the composition of red beryl of Red Beryl?
Berylium, Aluminum, Silicon, Oxygen
