Red Beryl

        When people accidentally walk by a jewellery store, they are always and start thinking, "Wow, how beautiful is that?"  Nevertheless, have they ever considered, what is the rarest mineral on Earth? If you are a rock fan, I bet you can answer that right away...

Red Beryl (Before Polish)

         Yes, according current research, the rarest mineral in the world is called red beryl.  It is close related to both emerald and aquamarine on molecular level; however, it is even rarer than both of them.  Its fascinating, breathtaking pinkish red is due to the presence of Mn3+ ion.
         If you want to dig it by yourself, don't even start to think about it.  It is only present in New Mexico and Utah.  Despite of its rareness, it requires a huge amount of money to mine it, which means there is no economically efficient and feasible way of mining this.
         For mineral fans, this particular mineral has something else that they are interested.  Its chemical formula is mind-blowing, Be3Al2Si6O18.  It is harder than quartz but softer than topaz (Mohs scale: 7.5-8), and it belongs to hexagonal crystal system.  It has an imperfect cleavage, although it is hard to be observed.
         To ordinary people, this transparent, gooseberry red gem may just appear to be a normal piece of rock.  Without knowing its rareness and expensiveness, they just admire by its beauty and vitreous blink.
         Go home and check your stone collection (if you have one), you may find something that you don't care much normally bizarre, maybe it's red beryl (just kidding)......



"Ten Gemstones That Are Rarer than Diamond." Io9. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
http://io9.com/5902212/ten-gemstones-that-are-rarer-than-diamond

"Www.mineralman.com - World Class Specimens and Friendly Personalized Service." Www.mineralman.com - World Class Specimens and Friendly Personalized Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
http://www.mineralman.com/mineralmanSALEnew.html