True North Gems Inc.® has coined the name “True Blue” Beryl.

Birthstone Month:
Beryl is not associated with any particular birthstone month.

Zodiac:
Beryl is associated with the zodiac signs Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Chemical Symbol:
Be3Al2Si6O18

Chemical Make-up:
Beryl is scientifically classified as a Beryllium Aluminum Silicate. Presence of differing elements account for the different colors displayed. Dark Blue Beryl is chemically heavier in Iron and Sodium than any other gem Beryl. This heavy Iron content is the reason for Dark Blue Beryl's strong dark blue coloration.

History & Lore:
The origin of the name Beryl is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word 'veruliyam', an old term previously used for the gemstone Chrysoberyl. It is also believed to derive from the Greek Word 'beryllos' which means crystal, and was originally applied to all green gemstones, but was later used exclusively for Beryl alone.

It is documented that Dark Blue Beryl was first discovered in 1976 by a Yukon geologist, however, it wasn't until August of 2003 when Bill Wengzynowski again discovered these unique stones in the Yukon Territories of Canada that it was recognized as a new gem. These efforts were financed by True North Gems Inc.® of Vancouver, British Columbia.

True North Gems Inc.® consulted mineralogists and a gemologist, who both confirmed that the blue Beryl they had discovered was in fact a unique new type of Aquamarine.

It is documented that Pliny, a Roman scholar, used powdered Beryl to cure injuries relating to the eye.

Legend says that Beryl was once used to ward off demons and evil spirits and that it can protect the wearer from dangers whilst traveling. Other legends also state that Beryl can be used to bring about good luck, cheerfulness, energy, and eternal youthfulness. Beryl is also said to be effective at treating disorders of the heart and spine.

Availability:
Dark Blue Beryl is an extremely rare gemstone.

Sources:
Dark Blue Beryl is currently being mined solely in the Yukon Territories of British Columbia, Canada.

Evaluation:
Beryl is rated at 7.5 to 8 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and is a durable stone that is ideal for all jewelry purposes. Beryl is colorless in pure form, but different elemental impurities give it a wide variety of available colors. Heavy Iron content is the reason for Dark Blue Beryl's color which ranges from a deep blue, to dark greyish blue, to a slight greenish-blue. Dark Blue Beryl's are semi-transparent to translucent, though most specimens transparency is significantly affected due to heavy inclusions.

Dark Blue Beryl closely resembles Aquamarine, but is gemologically distinct. It is more blue in color, it's deeper in tone and higher in saturation. At times Dark Blue Beryl resembles Sapphire. Beryl also has a higher refractive index and a greater specific gravity than Aquamarine. In addition to this, it is intensely pleochrostic, which means the color changes as you rotate the stone. The strong dichroic colors exhibited are a deep blue to violet blue and a greenish-blue to near colorless.

The above characteristics amount to a one-of-a-kind gemstone that will soon be highly coveted by gem enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Common Cuts:
Beryl has the ability to be cut into a wide spectrum of many-faceted shapes. Beryls are particularly well suited to rectangular or square cuts, as these bring out the stone's transparency and color definition.

Routine Enhancements:
There are no known enhancements for Dark Blue Beryl.

Care & Cleaning:
Beryl can be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Enzyme cleaners and cleaning agents containing chlorine should be avoided because they can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. To reduce the dangers of thermal shock, Beryls should also be kept away from prolonged exposure to excessive heat.

Dark Blue Beryl jewelry should be stored in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items so as to avoid damage / scratching.