Beryllonite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Comments

Beryllonites aren't really suited for jewelry use. With both perfect and good directions of cleavage, they're difficult to cut. Typically colorless or pale yellow and with little dispersion, their low refractive index also means they lack brilliance. Their hardness falls below the mark that would make them durable enough for everyday wear.

Nevertheless, beryllonite's rarity makes any crystal a valued specimen for a collector, and faceted pieces are especially prized. Long known only from Maine, a few new sources have been discovered but haven't yielded too much facetable material. However, beryllonites from Afghanistan can sometimes show chatoyancy when cabbed properly. This cat's eye effect is caused by the formation of inclusions of parallel tubes.

Please note, despite its name, beryllonite doesn't belong to the beryl species. Although both contain the rare element beryllium, these gems have different chemical formulas and crystal systems.

Synthetics

Scientists have synthesized beryllonites, and while they may seem unlikely choices, synthetic beryllonites have indeed appeared in jewelry. 

Enhancements

No known gemstone treatments or enhancements.

Sources

Stoneham, Maine, the type locality, produces cuttable crystals as well as crystalline masses up to 1-2 inches. However, only small, clean areas within such masses could be cut.

Newry, Maine produces opaque white crystals, not really cuttable.

Other notable sources of gem-quality material include the following:

• Afghanistan, Brazil, Pakistan.

Stone Sizes

Usually only available as small, colorless stones, most gems weigh less than 5 carats. Stones up to 10 carats have been cut, but their clarity isn't clean. As a mineral, beryllonite is rare and very few gems are known.

All the gems listed below came from Maine.

• Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC): 2.5, 3.3, 3.9, 5.10.
• Devonian Group (Calgary, Alberta, Canada): 5.70.
• Harvard University: 6.22.
• Private Collection: 7.82, 8.77, 4.32.

Care

Since beryllonites may contain liquid inclusions, don't use mechanical systems to clean them. Use only water, mild detergent, and a soft brush. Avoid any cleaner that contains acid, since these gems are soluble in acid.

Use protective settings for beryllonites, especially for ring use, or reserve them for occasional wear.

For more care recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide.