Beryl var: Red Beryl

Item Description

The characteristic and beautiful Red Beryl crystals from Utah are the finest examples of this rare variety of Beryl ever found. Please note that these crystals were originally thought to be a new species, and were named Bixbite (after the famous Utah field collector / dealer Maynard Bixby), but that name is no longer valid, and they should be labeled as Red Beryl (a variety of the species Beryl). The only other place in the world where Red Beryl has been confirmed is a few small finds in New Mexico, none of which match the quality of the Utah crystals. The classic carmine/gooseberry color of these crystals, combined with their notable rarity, makes them incredibly valuable and sought after on the market. The color is mostly influenced by the presence of manganese in the crystals. This piece is a classic example of these well-known Beryls featuring a few sharp, lustrous, hexagonal crystals measuring up to about 2.5 mm, sitting on white rhyolite matrix. Matrix specimens of Red Beryl are much harder to find than loose singles (the crystals can easily "pop" out of the matrix when they're found), so a piece like this is quite desirable in today's market.
From the collection of Brian Kosnar.