Heliodor is golden to greenish-yellow beryl, the mineral family that also gives emerald and aquamarine. Iron makes the yellow. Heating and irradiation are common in this color, so ask how a stone was made. We do not carry it.
Silicate (beryl) · Beryl
Heliodor
Heliodoro
- Palette
- Yellow Green
- Mined in
- Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, Ukraine, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 7.5–8.0 ?
- See-through
- transparent
- Known since
- Prehistoric
- Named for
- Greek words for sun and gift
- Also sold as
- golden beryl, yellow beryl
- Intention
- Protection Abundance
- Looking for
- Protection Luck
- Water
- Fine with water and mild soap
- Dye or finish
- Heliodor, the yellow beryl, is almost always irradiated to produce its color.
Not in our pieces now
380,000 KG
The largest natural crystal of any mineral known in 1999 was a beryl from Malakialina, Madagascar, 18 meters long and weighing 380,000 kilograms.
GREENISH-YELLOW
Strictly, heliodor means the greenish-yellow shades of beryl, while pure golden-yellow stones are called golden beryl.
DOM PEDRO
A beryl cousin, the Dom Pedro aquamarine, is a 10,363-carat stone cut from a 100-pound crystal.
What it is
Golden to greenish-yellow beryl, clear to glassy, colored by iron. It is the yellow member of the family that includes emerald and aquamarine and is usually sold faceted rather than as plain beads.
What gives it its color
Heliodor is the greenish-yellow to golden form of beryl, colored by a trace of iron (Fe3+); irradiation can also turn colorless beryl yellow.
In history
Heliodor, the golden-yellow beryl, was first found in 1910 in a Namibian pegmatite that also produced aquamarine. The best-known cut golden beryl is a flawless 2,054-carat stone on display in the Hall of Gems at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
What's said about it
The name means gift of the sun. In crystal lore today it is worn for protection, as a pendant on a long chain that hangs near the solar plexus.
Older gem lore listed golden beryl among the stones for good luck. It is hard enough for daily wear.
How people wear or keep it: As a pendant on a long chain, over the chest, or in a pocket.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, heliodor is paired with the solar plexus chakra, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: as a pendant on a long chain, over the chest, in a pocket. People reach for it when they want protection, luck, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraSolar Plexus
ZodiacLeo
ElementFire
Also calledgolden beryl, yellow beryl
Care
- Beryl is hard and tough enough for everyday wear, but a hard knock can still chip an edge.
- Clean with a soft brush, mild soap and warm water.
- Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners if you do not know the stone's history, since heated or fractured stones can react.
- Keep it out of long strong sun if the color may have been produced by irradiation.
How to tell what you have
- Heliodor is yellow beryl and is hard (Mohs 7.5 to 8), with few flaws in golden stones.
- Citrine and yellow glass are the usual look-alikes; ask the seller which it is.
Rules and sourcing
Heliodor, the yellow beryl, is almost always irradiated to produce its color. The FTC jewelry guides call for a seller to disclose irradiation, and 'yellow emerald' is a misleading name for it.
Questions people ask at our table
What is heliodor?
It is golden to greenish-yellow beryl, the same mineral family as emerald and aquamarine. The yellow comes from iron, and the name means gift of the sun.
Is heliodor the same as citrine?
No. Citrine is yellow quartz and heliodor is beryl, which is harder and rarer. A strand sold as golden beryl at a low price is worth a question to the seller.
Is the color natural?
Often it has been helped. Dealers heat or irradiate beryl, and pale aquamarine has been irradiated and sold as heliodor, so ask how a stone was made.
Where does it come from?
Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia and Ukraine are significant sources, plus a few New England states. The trade name began with golden beryl from Namibia.
Can I get it wet?
Yes. Beryl is hard, and mild soap and warm water are safe for most stones.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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