Gemmology of Beryl from Pingwu, Sichuan Province

Beryl from Pinwu, Sichuan Province, has the colour from light green to colourless, with the transparence from transparent to semi transparent and the shape of plate. Because of its special and beautiful co-existent compositions the beryl is prized as a gem for people to appreciate when it is clear and free from flaws. This unique characteristic has drawn wide attention among the mineralogists. Its physical property, mineral genesis and the cause of colour shades are surveyed by way of X-ray powder diffraction, analysis of chemical compositions, infrared spectrum and other techniques. Some precious new information of the beryl is obtained. The beryl is expected to have a promising future in application because it has a comparatively high value.