Beryl, a specific ore mineral of the metal beryllium, is currently in high demand. The nature of beryl occurrences presents a unique and potentially profitable opportunity for the prospector and small mine operator. The engineers of the Department of Mines and Mineral Resources are encouraging prospectors and small mine operators to consider beryl. Currently beryl is a more practical prospecting target for the independent prospector than the ever glamorous gold. At more than 55 cents per pound, a ton of beryl ore can be sold for over $1,100.00. At the current price of gold it would take a grade of almost 3 ounces per ton to make a gold ore of equal value. There is no market for small lots of 3 ounce per ton gold ore. Salable beryl ore can be produced without the need of a mill. In many areas, beryl deposits are mined by family mining operations