Blue Beryl (Maxixe)

Big Photo

Rectangle-cut Corners Blue Beryl
12.44 carats
© Rarestone.com

Maxixe Beryl is a variety of beryl that has a bright or dark blue colour. The colour gradually fades in daylight to a brown-yellow colour, which diminishes its value as a gemstone.

Originally (since 1917) it came only from the Maxixe Mine in Minas Gerais (Brazil). More recently beryl from multiple sources has been sold as 'Maxixe', which has lead to many in gemmological circles preferring to use the terms 'Blue Beryl' or 'Maxixe-type beryl'.

Since the 1970s it has been more widely available and enhanced through irradiation, but the colour fades after prolonged exposure to light or heat although it is much slower with indoor lighting.

Blue Beryl (Maxixe) Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Blue Beryl (Maxixe) Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Blue Beryl (Maxixe) gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:1.65 cts
Heaviest:12.44 cts
Average:7.04 cts
Total photos:2
Do you have a larger Blue Beryl (Maxixe)? Why not upload a photo?
1.65ct to 2.73ct2.73ct to 3.81ct3.81ct to 4.89ct4.89ct to 5.97ct5.97ct to 7.05ct7.05ct to 8.12ct8.12ct to 9.20ct9.20ct to 10.28ct10.28ct to 11.36ct11.36ct to 12.44ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Aquamarine, which is a variety of Beryl
Chemical Formula
Be
 
3
Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
18
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Photos of natural/un-cut material from mindat.org
Physical Properties of Blue Beryl (Maxixe)
Mohs Hardness7.5 to 8
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity2.60 to 2.90
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Blue Beryl (Maxixe)
Refractive Index1.560 to 1.604
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Birefringence0.003 to 0.010
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
PleochroismStrong dichroism: blue to colourless.
E.Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems (2003)
Colour
Colour (General)Blue
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Crystallography of Blue Beryl (Maxixe)
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
HabitPrismatic
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Further Information
Mineral information:Blue Beryl (Maxixe) information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Itinga
      • Taquaral
        • PiauĂ­ valley
Kievlenko E.Ya., Geology of gems, 2003, p. 113
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