Description and Occurrence Beryl is a common crystal and forms as a six-sided prism . Individual crystals can become very large, as long as 9 meters and weighing as much as 25 tons. It usually occurs in granite rocks and pegmatites . Beryl crystals come in a wide range of colors. Most beryl is not gemstone quality, and is used as the main industrial source for beryllium.
Beryllium is used in the nuclear industry and in alloys for aircraft.
Beryl can be found in Columbia, Austria, Brazil, India, Australia, and the United States. In San Diego County, gemstone quality aquamarine and morganite have been found in pegmatites in Mesa Grande, Pala, and Ramona.