Beryl vs. Emerald — What's the Difference?

A mineral consisting of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, often colorless in its pure form.

Often contains inclusions, which are tolerated if the color quality is high.

Can appear in several colors including green, blue, pink, and yellow.

Mainly found in specific regions like Colombia, which is known for high-quality stones.

Often used in jewelry, with varying value depending on the variety and clarity.

Associated with luxury and historical significance, often favored by royalty.

Known for varieties like aquamarine and morganite, based on color and impurities.

A green variety of beryl colored by chromium and sometimes vanadium.

Typically found in granitic pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks.

Known for its deep green color, which is highly valued in jewelry.

Beryl ( BERR-əl) is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be3Al2Si6O18. Well-known varieties of beryl include emerald and aquamarine.

Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and/or sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale.

A transparent to translucent glassy mineral, essentially aluminum beryllium silicate, Be3Al2Si6O18, occurring in hexagonal prisms and constituting the chief source of beryllium. Transparent varieties in white, green, blue, yellow, or pink are valued as gems.

A bright green precious stone consisting of a chromium-rich variety of beryl

A mineral of pegmatite deposits, often used as a gemstone.

A bright green colour

(countable) An example (a stone) of the mineral beryl.

A slender-bodied green moth, the colour of which tends to fade as the moth ages.

(uncountable) A dull blueish green colour.

A hawker dragonfly with a metallic green body.

Of a dull bluish green colour.

A small hummingbird with bright metallic green plumage and darker wings and tail, found mainly in the area of the Caribbean and Central America.

A mineral of great hardness, and, when transparent, of much beauty. It occurs in hexagonal prisms, commonly of a green or bluish green color, but also yellow, pink, and white. It is a silicate of aluminum and beryllium. The aquamarine is a transparent, sea-green variety used as a gem. The emerald is another variety highly prized in jewelry, and distinguished by its deep color, which is probably due to the presence of a little oxide of chromium.

Bright green in colour

The chief source of beryllium; colored transparent varieties are valued as gems

A brilliant green to grass-green transparent variety of beryl, used as a gemstone.

A strong yellowish green.

Of a strong yellowish green.

Any of various green gemstones, especially a green transparent form of beryl, highly valued as a precious stone.

Emerald green, a colour.

Any hummingbird in the genera Chlorostilbon and Elvira; and some in the genus Amazilia

(entomology) Any of various species of dragonfly of the family Corduliidae.

A size of type between nonpareil and minion, standardized as 6½-point.

Of a rich green colour.

To ornament with, or as if with, emeralds; to make green.

A precious stone of a rich green color, a variety of beryl. See Beryl.

A kind of type, in size between minion and nonpare l. It is used by English printers.

Of a rich green color, like that of the emerald.

A green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone

A transparent piece of emerald that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

The green color of an emerald

Emerald is a specific variety of beryl, distinguished by its green color from chromium impurities.

Beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, known for its various gem-quality types.

Beryl is found worldwide, especially in granitic pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks.

Colombian emeralds are renowned for their unparalleled vibrant green color and excellent clarity.

Emeralds often have inclusions such as cracks and foreign crystals but are still highly valued if the color is deep and vivid.

While beryl varieties vary widely in price, emeralds generally command higher prices due to their desirability and rarity.

Emeralds are valued for their rich green color and rarity, especially high-quality specimens from specific locales.

Yes, beryl can range from colorless to blue, green, pink, and yellow depending on impurities.

Yes, synthetic versions of beryl, including emerald, are produced for various industrial and jewelry purposes.

Both are popular in jewelry, but emeralds are particularly prized in high-end pieces due to their color and rarity.

Yes, other varieties include aquamarine, morganite, and heliodor, each with distinct colors.

Emeralds have been cherished throughout history, often associated with royalty and wealth.

Emeralds require careful handling and cleaning due to their natural inclusions and brittleness.

Emeralds are often treated with oils or resins to enhance clarity and appearance.

Someone might choose beryl like aquamarine or morganite for its different colors or lower price point compared to emeralds.