Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Beryl
Ber′yl
(bĕr′ĭl)
, Noun.
(Min.)
A mineral of great hardness, and, when transparent, of much beauty. It occurs in hexagonal prisms, commonly of a green or bluish green color, but also yellow, pink, and white. It is a silicate of aluminum and beryllium. The
aquamarine
is a transparent, sea-green variety used as a gem. The emerald
is another variety highly prized in jewelry, and distinguished by its deep color, which is probably due to the presence of a little oxide of chromium. Webster 1828 Edition
Beryl
BER'YL
,Noun.
A mineral, considered by Cleaveland as a subspecies of Emerald. Its prevailing color is green of various shades,but always pale. Its crystals are usually longer and larger than those of the precious emerald, and its structure more distinctly foliated. It is harder than the apatite,with which it has been confounded; harder and less heavy than the pycnite. The best beryls are found in Brazil, in Siberia and Ceylon, and in Dauria, on the frontiers of China. They are found in many parts of the United States.