THE BERYL.
The name of this mineral, from the Persian belur, Latin
beryllus, is applied to a species including several varieties,—
the emerald ; aquamarine ; Davidsonite, a greenish-yellow beryl,
found near Aberdeen, Scotland ; and Goshenite, so called for
Goshen, Massachusetts, a place affording crystals of gigantic
size. The beryl, in some of its varieties, has been discovered
in various localities in both hemispheres. In this country, it
occurs in different parts of New England, in Pennsylvania,
North Carolina, and other States. Fine crystals have been
found in Royalston, Massachusetts, displaying a great variety
of colors, comprising different shades of green, light and deep
yellow, the gold tint of the topaz, sherry-wine, and a clear blue,
approaching that of the sapphire in its purity ; while those
from Fitchburg, in the same State, resemble the topaz and the
chrysoberyl in color and hardness. Crystals of large size,
occasionally measuring several feet in length, are known near
Stoneham, Maine, but not usually of a quality to yield gems,
though a few remarkable examples have been obtained from
this locality, considered equal to the best foreign beryls. The
largest specimen, of a rich sea-green or a sea-blue, according to
the direction in which it was viewed, would, when cut, afford
a gem of thirty carats weight. Fine specimens have been
developed in Colorado.
Beautiful blue beryls may be obtained from the Mourne
Mountains, Ireland, but the largest number of superior quality
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