Helidore Facet / Faceting Information
A guide to Helidore Faceting. Essential information on Helidore faceting that includes tips and guides on cuts and polishes together with helpful details.
Helidore Facet / Faceting Information
Helidore (Beryl)
Color: yellow, yellow/green Moh's
Hardness: 7.5-8 Refractive Index: 1.57-1.60
Critical Angle: 39.97°
Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal, tough
Dispersion: .014 Heat Sensitivity: Slightly
Dichroism: weak (gold-yellow to greenish-yellow)
Birefringence (double refraction): Weak (.006-.009)
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Treatments: Often heat treated and irradiated.
What I prefer to polishing with: Cerium oxide with a Spectra Ultralap.
Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes like any other Beryl, usually no problems. I like to use a 1200 Nu Bond lap for pre-polish, it makes the polishing stage faster and easier. Orientating on the "c" is slightly better. Watch for silk and lilly pad type of inclusions perpendicular to the "c" axis.
Design Notes: About any design will work well. I prefer a deeper design and often cut Barions.
Design Links: Aqua Cisor - This is great for clear rough if you have a piece that will work. Blue Ice - Designed for very long crystals
Jeff R. Graham
The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.
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