AllMineralsRock
Beryl Vs. Corundum
Beryl is a very popular gemstone composed of beryllium aluminium silicate.[1] Corundum is also a very popular mineral and its chemical composition is aluminum oxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Beryl and Corundum
For a quick recap of the differences beryl and corundum:- While both beryl and corundum is hexagonal, in terms of crystallography, corundum can be trigonal.
- For chemical formulas, beryl is Be3Al2Si6O18 while corundum is Al2O3.
- While both beryl and corundum is vitreous, in terms of luster, corundum can be adamantine.
- Beryl streaks colorless while corundum streaks white.
- While both beryl and corundum can be commonly green or pink, corundum is often blue, brown or red.
- Beryl's hardness is lower than corundum - beryl ranges from 7.5 to 8 and corundum is 9 on the Moh's scale.
- Beryl's specific gravity is lower than corundum - beryl ranges from 2.6 to 2.66 and corundum ranges from 3.99 to 4.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Beryl and Corundum
The similarities of beryl and corundum include:- Beryl and corundum both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Beryl's rarity is similar to corundum.
Summary of Beryl
Beryl is a mineral that belongs to the silicate family and is known for its hardness and transparency. It is usually found in granite and pegmatite rocks and is often associated with other minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. Beryl has a hexagonal crystal structure and can come in a variety of colors, including blue, green, yellow, pink, and white.Summary of Corundum
Corundum is a mineral that is commonly found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is composed of aluminum oxide and can be identified by its hardness and crystal structure. Corundum has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the hardest minerals known to man. Its crystal structure is hexagonal, with six-sided prisms and pyramids that form a beautiful and distinctive crystal habit.Table Comparison of Beryl vs Corundum
| Beryl (src) | Corundum (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | Be3Al2Si6O18 | Al2O3 |
| Chemical Composition | beryllium aluminium silicate | aluminum oxide |
| Specific Gravity | 2.6, 2.66, 2.66, 2.68, 2.7, 2.71, 2.78, 2.8, 2.9, 2.9 | 3.99, 4, 4.1 |
| Hardness | 7.5, 8 | 9 |
| Streak | colorless | white |
| Crystallography | hexagonal | hexagonal, trigonal |
| Refractive Index | 1.566, 1.602 | 1.757, 1.779 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green, pink sometimes: blue, orange, yellow less common: red, black, brown, olive, white, purple, colorless |
common: green, red, blue, pink, brown sometimes: amber, yellow, colorless less common: gray, black, white, orange, purple, violet, striped, gold, multicolor |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal, uneven |