Goshenite has four properties that made it attractive to some of Europe’s early lens makers: 1) it is colorless, 2) it has exceptional clarity, 3) it is found in large crystals, and, 4) it has exceptional hardness. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, goshenite was the material used in the earliest scratch-resistant lenses.…

Important sources of goshenite include the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; the Ural Mountains of Russia; areas near Dassu, Pakistan; and, areas near Ampangabe, Madagascar. In the United States, goshenite has been found in many locations. Important sources are the pegmatites of New England, the pegmatites of southern California, and numerous locations in the granite pegmatites of the Rocky Mountains.…

Most gem-quality goshenite crystals form in cavities below Earth’s surface, on the fringes of a granitic magma body in its late stages of crystallization. The cavities provide open space for the uninterrupted growth of crystals. The late-stage timing is when beryllium-rich fluids are exiting the magma body. An abundant supply of beryllium is needed to form goshenite, a variety…

Unlike emerald and aquamarine, goshenite has not become popular in the jewelry industry. There are two likely reasons for this: 1) goshenite’s lack of color does not attract people like the green of emerald and the blue of aquamarine; and, 2) goshenite does not have a level of brilliance, luster, or fire that enables it to compete as…

Goshenite, also known as white beryl, is the colorless to near-colorless variety of beryl. It is named after Goshen, Massachusetts, a community near one of the first deposits found in the United States. Goshenite is often found as colorless to near-colorless, hexagonal crystals with exceptional clarity. It is also found as water-worn pebbles in alluvial deposits. Faceted Goshenite: This…