From the Greek meaning “gift from the sun,” the Heliodor is a gorgeous honey yellow gemstone that embodies the light, warmth, and energy of the sunshine.

The Heliodor is in the Beryl family of minerals, along with Emeralds, Aquamarines, Morganites, and various colored beryls. Pure beryl is colorless, with the color variations in the family being caused by differing trace levels of metals in the earth when and where the crystal was formed. For instance, the honey gold color of Heliodor comes from an excessive amount of iron that replaces the aluminum found in most beryls.

With a hardness of 7.5-8, Heliodor is one of the most durable gemstones available. It is also one of the largest, with a sturdy hexagonal structure that can allow the beryl to grow to several meters in width.

While members of the beryl family can be found around the world, Heliodor in particular is found granite deposits in the warm climates of Brazil, Madagascar, and Namibia, as well as the cooler regions of the Ukraine, and New England. Some of the largest beryls have been found in New England, with an 18 ton stone mined in the Bumpus Quarry in Maine. 

Fun fact! Did you know that when the first eyeglasses were made in Italy in the 13th century, the lenses were made from slices of beryl because glass at the time could not be made clear enough to see through well?

Heliodor will radiate the light and life of the sunshine into your life. It will illuminate your mind so you become centered, and it will fill you with sunny warmth and loving energies so that you will shine bright. Heliodor will also help you become more physically active and energized, and to maintain a reserve of energy even on your hardest days.

Heliodor also will help impart unto you a sunnier outlook and will boost self-esteem with a can-do attitude. With this new attitude will come trust in oneself, and belief in your strengths and capabilities. Stop by Harvest Gold to check out our fantastic brand-new heliodor ring handmade by Lynda!