beryl

¹

[ ber-uhl ]

noun

1. a mineral, beryllium aluminum silicate, Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 , usually green, but also blue, rose, white, and golden, and both opaque and transparent, the latter variety including the gems emerald and aquamarine: the principal ore of beryllium.

Beryl

²

[ ber-il ]

noun

1. a female given name.

beryl

/ ˈbɛrɪl /

noun

1. a white, blue, yellow, green, or pink mineral, found in coarse granites and igneous rocks. It is a source of beryllium and is sometimes used as a gemstone; the green variety is emerald, the blue is aquamarine. Composition: beryllium aluminium silicate. Formula: Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 . Crystal structure: hexagonal

beryl

/ bĕr′əl /

1. A usually green or bluish-green hexagonal mineral occurring as transparent to translucent prisms in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Transparent varieties, such as emeralds and aquamarine, are valued as gems. Beryl is the main source of the element beryllium. Chemical formula: Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 .

Derived Forms

• ˈberyline, adjective

Other Words From

• ber·yl·ine [ber, -, uh, -lin, -lahyn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beryl¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English beril, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bērillus, from Latin bēryllus, from Greek bḗryllos, bērýllion, from Prakrit veruḷiya (compare Sanskrit vaiḍūrya ), from Pali veḷuriya, originally referring to white beryl or quartz, of uncertain Dravidian origin, perhaps after Belur, Karnataka, where the mineral was mined (akin to Kannada biḷi “white” + ūru “habitation, town”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of beryl¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin bēryllus , from Greek bērullos , of Indic origin

Example Sentences

Part of regaining that feeling of a life well lived, to Beryl, would appear to be training fellow senior citizens to hunt down murderous deer.

From Outside Online

In “The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet,” a banker is nearly deceived by his own niece to the tune of £50,000 and his good name.

From The Daily Beast

These new people—that woman for instance, Beryl J. Bell—she's young, she believes in her books, her mind isn't tired like mine.

From Project Gutenberg

After the formal introduction Lady Beryl led the way into the library, wherein stood the time-lock safe.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he looked from Cleek to Lady Beryl, who was leaning against the table, overcome with emotion.

From Project Gutenberg

Cleek flashed an inquiring look at his host, who in his turn was mutely questioning Lady Beryl.

From Project Gutenberg

In the sheltered Caribbean cove the water was warm as milk, green and clear as liquid beryl, and shot through with shimmering sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive

More About Beryl

What does beryl mean?

Beryl is a mineral whose transparent varieties are used as gemstones. Both emerald and aquamarine are varieties of beryl.

Beryl gems occur in a variety of colors, including green (emerald), green-blue (aquamarine), yellow (heliodor), and pink (morganite).

Beryl is sometimes considered an alternate birthstone for the month of November, and it is associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio.

Beryl is the main source of the element beryllium, which is used to make alloys.

Example: The most popular form of beryl is the radiant emerald.

Where does beryl come from?

The first records of the word beryl come from around 1300. It comes via the Middle English beril, from the Latin bēryllus, from the Greek bḗryllos. It is ultimately of Indic origin.

In terms of mineral composition, beryl is a beryllium aluminum silicate. It is found in both igneous and metamorphic rocks. Pure beryl is colorless—it’s color is determined by the presence of certain impurities. For example, the variety of beryl that we know as the emerald includes chromium, giving it a brilliant green coloring.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to beryl?

• beryline (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with beryl? 

• beryllium

What are some words that often get used in discussing beryl?

• mineral
• gem
• gemstone
• stone
• precious
• emerald
• aquamarine

How is beryl used in real life?

Varieties of beryl include the well-known gems emerald and aquamarine. Beryl is also the main source of the element beryllium.

#MineralMonday: #Aquamarine, is one of the gemstone varieties of the mineral beryl. Beryllium was identified as one of 23 "critical minerals" by @USGS & is used extensively in aerospace, computer, defense, medical, nuclear, & telecommunications industries. Photo: Allan Young. pic.twitter.com/AlLOCCjW3N

— Bureau of Land Management – Eastern States (@BLM_ES) March 19, 2018

💖💖Morganite is the pink to orange-pink variety of beryl, a mineral that includes emerald and aquamarine.💖💖 pic.twitter.com/Xw1DcfG0R3

— Princess Bride Diamonds (@PBrideDiamonds) January 19, 2020

A 350 carat aquamarine beryl crystal from Nigeria. Would make an excellent carving piece pic.twitter.com/x3PJapW2Ew

— Fossil Locator (@FossilLocator) June 27, 2021

 

 

Try using beryl!

True or False?

Pure beryl is colorless.