Stinson's Gemcutting

RED BERYL
Mineral Specimens and Faceted Stones

The Mineral specimens shown below are very rare red beryl crystals from the Violet Claim Mine located in the Wah Wah mountains, as well as from the Thomas Range, Utah. These are the only two places in the world where this variety of beryl is found.

What is red beryl? Bixbite or red beryl is another gem variety in the beryl family, which includes, goshenite (clear), aquamarine (green/blue), heilodor (yellow), emerald (green) and morganite (light pink). I personally collected the Thomas Range specimens in 2002.

The Faceted gems shown below, are cut from gem grade crystals that are hydrothermally lab grown. A faceted gem cut from this lab grown crystal is shown below. It won the First Place Award in Lab Grown Stone category, in the 2006 International Gemmy's competition.

"Crown of Fire"
Photo by Robert Weldon.

This concave faceted original design won first place in the 2006 Gemmy's. It is lab grown hydrothermal bixbite (Red Beryl) This gem measures approx. 4.25 x 12 x 6.5 mm and weighs approx 4.75 ct. This original design will be delivered with certificate and publication provenance. Sold, now in a private collection.

Without question Red Beryl is one of the rarest gems on earth! In fact, in 2006 the Jeweler's Association named bixbite as the rarest gem on earth! This replaced benitoite which held the title for many years. However based on my personal experience of actually finding both gems, I must say that bixbite is second to the peridot from outer space that is found in pallasite meteorites! See my meteorite page for more information.) After red beryl hit the market it was advertised that only one woman in two million would ever own a stone of one carat size. It seems just unbelievable that the Violet Claim Mine was closed and doesn't look like it will ever reopen. Since the mine was closed, prices have risen dramatically. The red beryl from the Thomas Range is also extremely rare, and can still be found with some back breaking hard rock mining and lots of luck. I was very lucky and managed to find a number of very nice red beryl mineral specimens, but not without the help of my rockhound buddy! Some of those finds are offered here. The Thomas Range crystals although generally opaque and tabular, are still wonderful specimens, and when in combination with topaz or bixbyite to me, are much more rare and interesting specimens than the violet claim crystals.
After having a number of calls for faceted red beryl after our prospecting trip, I soon realized that the availability of suitable rough, of ANY decent size, even at astronomical prices, was not going to happen! Period! So I began a search for hydrothermally grown red beryl hoping to find the right color and of course the same high quality crystals as lab grown emerald. I definitely did not want the off-color pinkish junk being offered in Thailand! In most gems there is a wide range of color and this is also true even in lab grown stones. I was told that the lab production had been stopped and that it might resume on special order, etc. etc. So, after waiting months to see if production would resume, I finally started receiving rough crystals.
I now have rough crystals on hand with the top color -- it's described as "raspberry" or "stoplight" red color. The crystals I use are the thickest available which usually runs about 6mm, and are suitable for cutting an 8-10 mm diameter stone.
If you would like to have a red beryl, just email me to check inventory and/or to get on one scheduled to be cut. There is no obligation! After the gem is cut you will have first call to purchase. If you do not wish to buy at that time, then the gem is simply added to inventory. The gems shown below are from the same parcel as the award winning "Crown of Fire ".

BUYER BE AWARE of what's being offered on the market!! Not all red beryl is the same.
Natural crystals come only from Utah, either the Wah Wah mountains or the Thomas Range.
"Pressure treated" red beryl has recently shown up for sale and this treatment is not being properly disclosed. I have seen natural red beryl for sale that is filled with a resin, oil or plastic who knows what! This is done to improve the clarity, and thus increase the price being asked by the seller. The filler can boil out when the stone is heated or when cleaned ultrasonically. Gems with this treatment should be disclosed as a "filled" gem. This is NOT a permanent treatment and the stone can be changed back to the original lower clarity grade. This may also subject the stone to further damage
Lab grown crystals are genuine red beryl crystals that have been grown in a modern laboratory process. They are not some other mineral that has been treated, heated or filled or faked (simulated) to look like bixbite. They are genuine red beryl with the same physical properties of mined crystals. These are the lab grown crystals that I personally facet. Pezzoittaite from Madagascar is similar in appearance, but is not bixbite. It has a different refractive index, as well as different density aqnd specific gravity.
Aquamarine is heated and diffusion treated which means a small number of manganese atoms transfer to the aquamarine in a thin film which changes the color to red. It is NOT bixbite.

There are stones in stock that are not listed here. Please email for a list/ quote.

Red Beryl 2.58 ct. "Firecracker cut"

This red beryl gem was cut from a crystal which was grown in a lab. This is a new cut I have named the "Firecracker" cut. The name says it all. It is brilliant and explodes with red flashes! It measures approx 8.1 mm x 6.28 deep. Weight is approx 2.58 ct. The clarity grade of this stone is VVS. Nothing is visible with the naked eye. It will be delivered with my Production Certificate and is fully guaranteed to please you or simply return for a full refund including your return postage! Price $477 Sorry this gem has been SOLD -- but this design and many others are yours for the asking! Just email to schedule one that is cut especially for you!

Red Beryl 1.43 ct. "Matched Pair"

This is lab grown, genuine RED BERYL emerald cut matched pair. These gems are a nice size for earrings. Total weight is approximately 1.43 carats!! One stone weighs approx .71 ct and the other .72 ct. They fit standard 6 x 4 mm mountings. The Refractive index is 1.58 and the main culet angles are cut at 43 degrees. Red beryl like it's emerald sister, has excellent hardness at 7.5 MOHS. These sparkling raspberry jewels grade VVS under 10X and have a mirror polish. You must be pleased or send them back and I'll even refund your return postage! Price $210 SOLD-- but others in stock

"Red Beryl 2 ct"

This faceted red beryl was cut from a crystal which was hydrothermally grown. The same process is used to grow the beautiful "Chatham" emeralds. Both the red and green varieties are both members of the beryl family. (In fact while in production, red beryl was being marketed as "red emerald"!!) The long process produces some crystals which are supremely clean and with consistent color throughout. This stone is one of the first pieces that I cut in order to see if the color was what I wanted. It was and represents the quality of color that I now carry. This gem measures approx 6.8 x 9.18 x 4.7 mm. Weight is 2.14 ct. The clarity grade of this stone is "I" slightly included, not eye clean. It has only a few veils on one end. This red beryl is brilliant throughout. #RBF6031 Sold

"Red Beryl 1.49 ct"

This red beryl gem was cut from a crystal which was hydrothermally lab grown. This emerald cut gem measures approx 8 x 6 mm. Weight is approx 1.490 ct. The clarity grade of this stone is VS, eye clean. This red beryl gem is brilliant throughout. $238.

"Red Beryl 1.75 ct"

This red beryl gem was cut from a crystal which was hydrothermally lab grown. This standard cut round brilliant gem measures approx 8 mm in diameter. Weight is approx 1.75 ct. The clarity grade of this stone is VS, eye clean. It is brilliant throughout. $350.

"Red Beryl 1.54 ct"

This red beryl oval gem was cut from a crystal which was hydrothermally lab grown. This gem measures approx 9 x 7 mm. Weight is approx 1.54 ct. The clarity grade of this gem is VS, eye clean. This is a nice red oval beryl gem that is brilliant throughout. $308.

"Red Beryl Violet Claim"

This is a crystal that I recently purchased in a small parcel. It comes from the Violet Claim and measures approx 4.3 x 3.6 x 3.8 mm. It is perfectly terminated on one end. The color of this crystal is supreme. It is included which is typical for this TYPE III stone. Weight is just over a half carat at .52 ct. #RBXL4037 SOLD

"Red Beryl Thomas Range"

This is a crystal that I personally collected in the spring of 2002, in Starvation Canyon in the Thomas Range, Utah. This is doubly terminated and also twinned. The crystal measures approx 5.04 x 6.51 x 6.05 mm. It is doubly terminated and twinning is evident on both ends of the crystal. The crystal is heavily included which is typical for Thomas Range red beryl. Weight of the specimen is 1.64 ct. #RBXL4028 This specimen has sold.

If you are looking for red beryl, please email or call to discuss ideas, availability and pricing. To ORDER a stone or mineral specimen: Email me to see if the item you want is available. I'll confirm your email and if available, place it on hold until your payment is received. stinsons@gemservice.com
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This page was updated October 17,2011