How to identify Aquamarine with Schorl Inclusions

To correctly identify Aquamarine with Schorl Inclusions (Be3Al2Si6O18 (Beryl variety with Tourmaline inclusions)), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Aquamarine matrix is typically blue to blue-green; schorl inclusions are opaque black.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Aquamarine is vitreous; schorl is vitreous to resinous.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Smooth, glassy feel for aquamarine; schorl inclusions are typically prismatic or acicular, sometimes appearing as fine needles or radiating sprays within the aquamarine.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Aquamarine forms hexagonal prisms, often with flat terminations. Schorl forms trigonal prisms, often with striations parallel to the c-axis, and can be acicular or columnar within the beryl.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Aquamarine has imperfect basal cleavage {0001}. Schorl has no distinct cleavage, exhibiting conchoidal to uneven fracture.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Granitic pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and greisens associated with granitic intrusions.

Key Facts

Hardness

7.5-8 (Aquamarine, Mohs scale); 7-7.5 (Schorl, Mohs scale).

Specific Gravity

2.68-2.80 (Aquamarine); 3.03-3.25 (Schorl).

Crystal System

Hexagonal (Aquamarine); Trigonal (Schorl).

Color

Blue to blue-green (Aquamarine) with opaque black (Schorl) inclusions.

Luster

Vitreous.

Transparency

Transparent to translucent (Aquamarine); Opaque (Schorl).

Fracture

Conchoidal to uneven (Aquamarine); Uneven to conchoidal (Schorl).

Cleavage

Imperfect basal {0001} (Aquamarine); None distinct (Schorl).

Composition

Beryllium aluminum silicate (Aquamarine); Sodium iron aluminum borosilicate (Schorl).

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Aquamarine: Prismatic, typically hexagonal, often with striations parallel to the c-axis. Schorl: Prismatic, acicular, columnar, often with vertical striations, sometimes radiating.
• Cleavage Type: Aquamarine: Imperfect basal {0001}. Schorl: None distinct.
• Fracture Type: Aquamarine: Conchoidal to uneven. Schorl: Uneven to conchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle for both aquamarine and schorl.
• Luster Type: Vitreous (glassy) for both aquamarine and schorl.

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