FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[B&A]

Hello

I have this Beryl here, there is a bit residu on the sides.
I think it would look much better when this is removed, what's the best way to do this?

[Tobi]

This is not completely a crystal of the beryl variety heliodor. It is a polychrome crystal, upper half heliodor, other half aquamarine.

But are you sure you want to remove something? Forgive me for this interfering, but i would not try to make this crystal "better" by removing the small residu parts. The whole appearance of the specimen is characteristic of these beautiful polychrome Erongo beryls.

[B&A]

I'm not sure what to do :)
Usually at mineral shows most of them are beautiful and clean specimens, thus I thought this was always done...
If it was yours, would you keep it like it is now?

[Tobi]

Yes, i would keep it like that. I think it is more important that a mineral/crystal has a nice shape in general, good terminations and is free of damage. Such things like rests of residu are not that annoying, as long as it is not "dirt" but rather some other minerally material. But it is your decision whether you remove it or not.

[B&A]

I think i'll follow your advice.
And also thanks for the more accurate description (It is a polychrome crystal, upper half heliodor, other half aquamarine. )

[Tobi]

You're welcome! But i hope you only follow my "advice" when it is really okay for you? It is YOU who must like this crystal ;-)

Those "mixed" crystals of two beryl varieties came in different interesting forms from the Erongo Mountains. Not only this type here which seems to be one crystal with a heliodor/aquamarine boundary, but also aquamarine crystals with an overlaying "hat" of heliodor and even the complete opposite of yours - pale greenish heliodors with a cap of gemmy aquamarine. Funny area, this Erongo Mountains ;-)