Heliodor and his Brothers.. Bixbite, Morganite..

Heliodor: Golden Beryl, Brother of Aquamarine and Goshenite

When in nature, the Beryl appears yellow it is called Heliodor, when instead it shows a enough green it is called Emerald. In addition, the Pink Beryl is called Morganite, the Red Beryl is called Bixbite and the purplish-Pink Beryl is called Pezzottaite. When the Beryl occurs in light Blue is Aquamarine, when it appears colorless is called Goshenite, but in its pure form, is totally colorless.

In its best quality, the Heliodor reaches prices varying from 50 to 100 euros per carat. These are noticeable lower prices when compared to those achieved by the best qualities of its sister Aquamarine.

The Heliodor color varies from yellow, with a slightly green secondary component (greenish-Yellow) to yellow with a secondary component of orange (orangy-Yellow).It exhibits a light tone and the saturation reached by this Gemstone varies from light to moderate. The Heliodorus is sometimes called the Golden Beryl and the Iron is the element causing its color.

    
Generally, the “Golden Beryl ” has almost the same inclusions as Aquamarine and is found in the same places where Aquamarine is found: Brazil, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, U.S.A., Russia and of course Sri Lanka.

Heliodor: the missed Birthstone of August

In ancient Greek, Helios meant Sun, while Doron meant gift, in fact, some ancient populations considered this Gem as a gift from the Sun. For me, born under the sign of Leo, is a very precious Gemstone, given that the popular Gemmology has always associated it with the astrological sign of Leo. In particular, the Heliodorus is related to the month of August, the month in which the Peridot is still firmly Birthstone leader.
I would leave out the mythological Gemology that describes this Precious Gemstone as a great help in finding a right place in this difficult world. Rather, it would be better to focus on talking about its basic Gemological characteristics.

Heliodor’s Gemology

Heliodor’s Refracive Index is typical of the Beryl: 1.577-1.583 and the luster is vitreous. Also, the Specific Gravity is the classic one of the Beryl: 2.72 (+ 0.018 / -0.05). Typical inclusions are liquid, tubular or two-phase. Generally, it is a Gemstone slightly included and in fact belongs to the TypeI Clarity Grade. Developing in the hexagonal system, the Gemstone “Gift of the Sun” shows pleochroism, usually weak and that varies from yellow with a secondary component of green color (greenish-Yellow)to two shades of Yellow. The hardness in the Mohs scale is about 7.5. As a result, this Precious Stone is suitable for jewelry purposes, but must be carefully stored and cleaned. Stability is good and the fractures it exhibits are conchoidal.

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