Abstract:
The properties of hydrothermal solutions were discussed and related to mineral solution and growth at elevated temperatures and pressures.
The effects of pressure, temperature, and concentration of mineralising solutions, on the solubility of beryl were investigated at supercritical conditions.
Factors affecting growth rates and quality of beryl grown in retrograde conditions were investigated. Temperature was found to be the most important single factor affecting crystal growth rates. Beryl was grown most successfully in NH4F mineralisers, but other mineralisers were also tried. Decomposition products of beryls in various mineralisers were investigated.
Properties of the synthesised beryls were found to be almost identical to naturally formed beryls.