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Chrysoberyl

Year of discovery: 1790 (World), 1899 (Japan)

Locality list: 17 localities of chrysoberyl

• BeAl₂O₄
• [Be²⁺][Al³⁺₂][O₄]^8-

• Class: Oxide
• Variety: Alexandrite (+Cr, Green)
• Soluble in: KOH (Decompose), KHSO₄ (Decompose)
• Insoluble in: HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄

• Be => Zn: Gahnite
• Be => Mn: Galaxite
• Be => Fe: Hercynite
• Be => Mg: Spinel

• Al => Cr: Mariinskite

• Color: Pale green
• Streak: White
• Luster: Vitreous
• Diaphaneity: Transparent-Translucent

• Habit: Tabular, Pseudohexagonal prism by twin
• Twin: Intrusive twinning

• Cleavage: Distinct on {110} (2 planes), Indistinct on {010} (1 plane)
• Hardness: 8.5
• Density: 3.7

• System: Orthorhombic
• Group: mmm, Pmnb
• Lattice: a=5.5, b=9.4, c=4.4

Etymology: Chrysos (gold) in Greek