 Beryl is the family name of a remarkable group of stones that range in many colors including but not exclusive to aquamarine, emerald, and heliodor. Members of the beryl family have been used for healing, amulets and jewelry for at least 4,000 years, although bixbite and morganite have only been recently identified. Many beryls have been carved into talismans in the images of animals or plants to enhance the power of the stone itself. Since many of the beryls are a sea green many of the sea deities are favored for this stone.
In ancient Babylon, the beryl stone was used to treat jaundice and liver problems. In the Middle Ages it was thought to bring the bearer hope, happiness, and eternal youth and to promote marital bliss, re-awakening the love of couples who had been married for a long time.
Here are a few interesting bits of information about some of the beryl family. Aquamarine is a semiprecious stone in a sea blue to sea green color whose name is derived from the Latin “aqua marina”, meaning “sea water”. Bixbite is a crystal in a red to violet color range. Emerald is a grass green precious stone named from the Greek “smarangdos”, meaning simply “green”. Goshenite is a colorless variety that has been used to imitate gems by using a colored backing. Heliodor is the name of the yellow gold crystal whose name in Greek means “gift of the Sun”. Morganite is a pink gem named after John Pierpont Morgan.
It’s really amazing to see how many crystals and stones are related in each family. Have fun exploring the bounties of these crystals and stones
Daniel Lee
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