Description

Specimen composed of good multi-centimetric crystals of green to white beryl, generally stony with transparent zones, in a gangue of gray quartz.
La Villeder is a former tin mine in the Morbihan department of Brittany.
During its life, but also very recently, it produced magnificent cassiterite crystallizations.
For over 150 years, these cassiterites were the most beautiful in the world, before specimens were discovered in Bolivia, and very recently in China.
In this mine with such a rich history were also found beautiful crystals of pale aquamarine beryls, named at the time of exploitation the emeralds of Brittany!
Specimen numbered 1682-186 delivered with its old École des Mines de Paris label.
Donated by M. Chauveau to the École des Mines in 1884. Remarkable! Video of this beryl specimen from La Villeder in Brittany:

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