Bixbite
There seems to be an on-going dispute over Red Beryl/Bixbite
and it's rarity.
In the very early 1900's, a man named Maynard Bixby
discovered a new type of crystal in the Violet Topaz Mine, located in the Wah
Wah area of the Thomas mountain range in Utah.
Bixby wasn't certain of what he found, so sent a crystal specimen to a
geochemist, who reported back that the specimen was, in fact, red Beryl. Mining
began for this new gem stone, but the mine yielded only a small amount of rough
before it was agreed that it was too costly to continue mining, and the Violet
mine closed down permanantly.
Red beryl was first found in the Thomas Range in Juab County
Utah, USA in the year 1905. The small crystals were found in a rhyolite host
rock and were translucent but rarely gemmy. It wasn't until later in the 1950's
that larger, higher quality crystals were discovered in the Wah Wah Mountains
of Beaver County. These are the only bixbite crystals suitable for faceting.
Currently this is the only area in the world where gem quality red beryl is
mined. So, what should you look for in Bixbite?
The most desireable gems are those with a deep pink color, and as clear
as possible. Bixbite is a beryl, like emerald, and inclusions are commonplace.
A gem over a carat or more is also desirable, but it is unlikely you will find
many that big. Bixbite crystals were usually under two carats, which left very
small gems after faceting.
The first disput came about when trying to decide what to
call this new gem stone. Bixbite, after the discoverer, became the common name.
Red Beryl was also used. Red Emerald started being circulated. They were all
true, and all reffered to the same gem.
Today, you will find it under all of these names. There
never has been an agreement on an 'official' name, so they are all considered
correct.
Early on in 2006, the Jewelers Association named Bixbite as
the rarest gemstone on earth. This replaced Benitoite as the rarest gem, a
standing that Benitoite has held for many years. Bixbite prices soared, and the amount of gem
available became scarce. News of a new
source of Bixbite in Madagascar proved to be wrong. There was a gem being mined
there, but it's chemical composition was slightly different. This new gem
contained Lithium, which Bixbite doesn't have. Also, the new gem's crystals
grew in a different formation. This was NOT a new source for Bixbite, but
something altogether new. The new gem became known as Pezzottaite. It is very
similar to Bixbite in appearance, but a trained gemologist can tell the
difference. The refractive index is different, as is the density and specific
gravity of the stone.
Although Pezzottaite is a rare gem, it is nowhere near as
rare as Bixbite. There has been a new mine found in Afghanistan for
Pezzottaite, and the amount of rough mined to date far exceeds the amount of
Bixbite ever mined. The crystals of Pezzottaite are much larger, and in many
cases much clearer, yielding a bigger and better quality of gem. When buying a
gem stone, be sure that you are indeed buying Bixbit, or red Beryl. Those gems
listed as "New Red Beryl" are, in fact, Pezzottaite.
Be careful who you buy Bixbite from. Buy from only reputable
dealers, preferably one you know. Because the price and value of this gem has
skyrocketed, some sellers may try to sell you a 'fake' Bixbite, or mislead you
into believing you are buying Bixbite. If buying a gem that has inclusions that
have broken the surface of the stone, make sure that the dealer is very
reputable. There have been stones found
that were altered by having glass and dye injected into these surface
inclusions to make the gem appear darker or clearer than it truly was
Mohs Hardness of 7.5 with a hexagonal crystal structure.
Bixbite (or red beryl) is the red color variety of the beryl
family of minerals. This gemstone gets its rich red coloring form the traces of
manganese added to the basic beryl mineral formula. Bixbite is generally quite
rare and is usually very small in size due it's scarcity and small stature of
the crystals. It is generally heavily included, perfectly clean gems are
extremely rare.
Beryl develops in pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks.
It occurs with quartz, microcline, and muscovite in pegmatites, and with
quartz, muscovite, and almandine in schist of regional metamorphic rocks.
Bixbite or red beryl as it is commonly known, is a stone of
soothing and healing. It is used by intuitives and mystics to bring harmony to
relationships and to enhance compatibility. It is also said to assist in
healing grief and depression. As well it is often used to enhance creative
energy.
Intuitive sources state that physically bixbite is good for
healing problems associated with the physical heart, liver, lungs, mouth,
throat, stomach, physical energy level, and digestive system.
All shades of red beryl from pale violet, pink to red are
helpful in an effort to break down prejudices and intolerance.
Energy: Receptive
Element: Water
Powers: Psychic
Beryl has been worn to prevent fascination, or what would
today be called deliberate psychic manipulation, such as practiced by
evangelists, some salespersons and politicians. This is also called being
tagged or corded, when an individual attaches an astral line to your astral body,
generally through the solar plexus (3rd) chakra. Through this cord they may be
able to drain your energy and even manipulate your actions if they posses
enough strength.
If this happens, tape a small piece of tumbled beryl over
your navel and leave in place for as long as it takes to break the cording,
generally a full 24 hours.
I hope you enjoyed this Rare Beryl tomorrow’s beryl will be Goshenite
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Can you give me some details of Jewellery Association? I cannot identify this organization. thank you.
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