Meet the Beryl Family

Years back I happened on a beautiful gold ring. It had a raised setting with open scroll work all along the sides and the most eye catching beautiful emerald cut yellow stone. The color was uniform and nothing like I had seen before. It had no hues of orange or brown at all. It was yellow gone wild. That was the first time I saw a Yellow Beryl.

Everyone knows the Emerald; it is one of the most famous of the Beryl’s. The Emerald is the Green Beryl with the most perfect and sought after color.

Aquamarine is a beautiful blue stone and is also a Beryl. The rest of the Beryl’s are often just called Aquamarine for some reason. We often see strands of aquamarine rondelles in a colorful rainbow of pastel colors. That beautiful rainbow is the proud display of the entire Beryl family.

Morganite (Pink Beryl), Helidor (Yellow Beryl), Goshenite (Clear Beryl), Aquamarine (Blue Beryl) & Lastly Soft Green Beryl

Sweeter Than Cotton Candy!


I never ended up buying the ring. It was too many sizes too small for me, but now I wish I had at least taken a picture of it.
It was love at first sight with Beryl.

Is That Really A Sapphire?

It has always amused me how the gem industry comes up with the prettiest nicknames for some stones. Such as “Water Sapphires” (Iolite), “Green Onyx”, (Chalcedony) and my new favorite is “Evening Emerald” (see below).

As sweet and glamorous as they may sound though, if you’re not familiar with them they could end up being confusing, even misleading.

Here’s a picture example of the stone with the nickname and then the real McCoy shown in both gemstone and cabochon quality:

1- Sapphire quartz: Is it a Sapphire? No it’s Blue Chalcedony
2- Bohemian Ruby: Is it a Ruby? No it’s Red Garnet
3- Evening Emerald: Is it an Emerald? No it’s Peridot
4- Oregon Moonstone: Is it a Moonstone? No it’s White Chalcedony



It’s a little less amusing though when completely synthetic stones (resin, glass, plastic) are at times being referred to as “precious or semi precious”. Did you know that cherry quartz, pineapple quartz, tanzanite quartz, etc. are not mined stones at all? Don’t be swayed by the word quartz in the name, they are synthetic.
Don’t be shy to always ask your jeweler lots of questions before you buy a piece. Is this stone manmade or mined? Where is it mined? A well informed jeweler will always gladly share this info.

Not All Drusies Are Created Equal

Ever wonder why some necklaces or druzy pendants are priced at hundreds of dollars while others can be purchased for less than 10 dollars? Well let me tell you……

It’s all about one single simple little word that is either included or not in the description of the piece, and that’s the word “Natural”. If you don’t see this word in the description of the druzy you are considering, then be assured, that a slab of stone has been put through a process. Epoxy glue has been spread on it like peanut butter on toast, followed by a sprinkling of broken bits of crystals. “Et Voila” a man made druzy is born.

Natural occurring druzy at its most valuable is when crystals form in nature on an already celebrity stone such as Garnet, Carnelian, Vanadinite, Ocean Jasper and ooohhhh weakening at the knees just thinking about the ocean blue dips and waves of Chrysocolla.

Of course there are other factors that determine the price of a druzy but not one as such as when it’s natural versus man made. You know the saying, if it’s too good to be true…..

I have a great love for druzy. It’s a spectacular and awesome display of nature’s handiwork that could be brought home with you. In the years gone by I have sold many pieces that I still enjoy to remember with photos, and am happy to have come by such beautiful stones. I’m glad to say they were sold to people that truly valued them; some have even been serious stone collectors. Displayed for enjoyment is a gallery of some of my sold pieces.