Comparison · Minerals vs Feldspar Group
Beryl vs Feldspar
Beryl and Feldspar are easy to confuse. Beryl is harder (Mohs 7.5–8) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Beryl will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Beryl and Feldspar
- Beryl is harder (Mohs 7.5–8) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Beryl will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- They overlap in green, pink, and clear, but Beryl also comes in blue and yellow and Feldspar also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Beryl is Hexagonal, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Beryl vs Feldspar properties
| Property | Beryl | Feldspar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Feldspar Group |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5–8 | 6–6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.63–2.92 | 2.55–2.76 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species) |
| Common colors | Green (emerald), Blue (aquamarine), Pink (morganite), Yellow (heliodor), Colorless (goshenite) | White, Pink, Gray, Green (amazonite), Colorless |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Beryl and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Beryl
Beryl is a beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, Be3Al2Si6O18, that crystallizes in the hexagonal system as six-sided prisms. Pure beryl is colorless, but trace elements produce a family of well-known gem varieties, including green emerald, blue-green aquamarine, and pink morganite. It typically forms in granite pegmatites, where slow cooling allows large, well-formed crystals to develop.
About Feldspar
Feldspar is not a single mineral but a group of related aluminosilicate minerals, comprising the potassium feldspars, orthoclase, microcline, and sanidine, and the plagioclase series running from albite to anorthite, together making up roughly 60 percent of Earth's crust by volume. All share a similar framework silicate structure, two cleavage directions near 90 degrees, and moderate hardness, but differ in composition, color, and crystal system. As the most abundant mineral group on the planet, feldspar defines granite, basalt, gneiss, and countless other rock types.
Beryl vs Feldspar FAQ
Is Beryl the same as Feldspar?
No. Beryl is a mineral while Feldspar is a feldspar group. Beryl is harder (Mohs 7.5–8) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Beryl will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Beryl from Feldspar?
Beryl is harder (Mohs 7.5–8) than Feldspar (Mohs 6–6.5), so Beryl will scratch Feldspar and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. They overlap in green, pink, and clear, but Beryl also comes in blue and yellow and Feldspar also comes in gray. Well-formed crystals give it away: Beryl is Hexagonal, Feldspar is Monoclinic to Triclinic (depending on species).
Which is harder, Beryl or Feldspar?
Beryl is harder: Mohs 7.5–8 against Mohs 6–6.5 for Feldspar.
Which is more valuable, Beryl or Feldspar?
Typical specimens of Beryl and Feldspar trade in a similar range, around $20.
