What on Earth Is Heliodor?

Heliodor is the honey to lemon-yellow variety of beryl, named from the Greek words for sun and gift. It rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and is mined in Nigeria, Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia and other countries. It is related to emerald, aquamarine and morganite, the other beryl varieties, and is loved for its sunny colour.

The Physical Properties of Heliodor

Heliodor is a variety of Beryl, composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate. Heliodor crystal with excellent clarity and rich in colour is often cut into beautiful gemstones. It stands up well to abrasion because of its Mohs hardness of 7.5-8. The yellowish tint is a result of the presence of iron (as pure Beryl is colourless). Gentle heating or irradiation can sometimes improve the colour of the crystal, while further heating can transform it into a blue or greenish-blue material. Heliodor is suitable for earrings, pins, pendants, rings, and almost any other use in jewelry. On rare occasions, Heliodor can contain traces of uranium oxide (the radioactive material).

The History of Heliodor

Heliodor discovered in Western Namibia in 1910. It is the most brilliant form of Beryl (because of its vibrant greenish-yellow shade) whose name means gift from the sun in ancient Greek. The first time it got the attention of the public is when Lucas von Cranach (world-famous jeweler) designed a set of jewelry for the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. Enthusiasts and collectors much appreciate Heliodor because of its rarity. Other well-known varieties of Beryl are emerald, aquamarine, and morganite.

The Lore of Heliodor

In crystal lore, Heliodor is a stone of self-belief and self-confidence. Practitioners say meditating with it awakens an inner flame and a sense of self-worth and place in the grand scheme of things. It stands for the warmth of sunshine and the light of higher thought, and in old stories it was a talisman for regaining what was lost and bringing out honesty in others.

The Metaphysical Properties of Heliodor

In crystal lore, Heliodor is linked with traditionally masculine virtues such as benevolence, power, strength, self-confidence and assertiveness, as it is Yang in nature. It is a stone of selfless leadership and nobility, a reminder to decide from wisdom rather than from reaction. These ideas apply to men and women alike.

Called a hope stone, Heliodor is a symbol of lightening heavy burdens, and it is a popular gift for people balancing career and caregiving as well as the self-employed. It stands for determination to succeed when enthusiasm and vitality have worn thin.

Wear Heliodor as a gem or keep it at home as a bright reminder of sunshine, especially in winter or in a darker climate. Crystal writers also link it with energy and warmth, and with staying close to people you are apart from. These are beliefs and traditions, not claims about the body.