Bixbite (Red Beryl)
Bixbite,the red form of beryl, sometimes called Red Emerald, is one of the most startlingly beautiful red gemstones that I have ever seen. Wherever the stone falls in the orange-red through red to purplish red range, its color has a purity that makes it seem hypnotic. Add the fact that it is vanishingly rare and you have a stone that is valued as much for its scarcity as for its beauty.
The name "bixbite" is controversial and unofficial. Mineralogist Maynard Bixby discovered bixbyite (a completely different mineral, occurring in opaque black cubic crystals) first, so it had already been named in his honor. When he discovered the red beryl crystals, they were named "bixbite." This was considered by many to be too close to the name of the first discovery. There are also those who believe that bixbite should not have its own name at all because its rich red color derives from the same chemical impurity (manganese) that lends morganite its pale pink color.
Personally, I feel that bixbite is unique enough, both in color and occurrence, to merit its own popular name. Purists might insist that there is no such mineral as bixbite, and I would not argue the point. I simply believe that "bixbite" is a convenient way to refer to bright red beryl that originates in the Wah Wah Mountains or Thomas Mountains of western Utah.
A more precise name would be red beryl. The mineral is beryl, and it is most certainly red. Obviously, this would be a correct and perfectly acceptable way to refer to this gem material. Of course, "red beryl" lacks a certain cachet, so the marketers wanted a more romantic name with which to sell the gemstone.
Referring to this gem as red emerald is descriptive but imprecise. Emerald is, after all, the name reserved for green beryl that derives its color from chromium impurities. Clearly, no red gem could actually be an emerald. However, the name "red emerald" confers the mystique and romance of emeralds, which is entirely appopriate for this rare, beautiful and expensive gemstone. It can also help suggest that, like emeralds, bixbite gems are normally included, sometimes severely so, without seriously affecting their beauty or their value. If we take the name to mean "red gem with many similarities with emeralds" then it is quite descriptive.
Red beryl, like emerald, is recognized by the GIA as a Type 3 gemstone. As with emeralds, any apparently flawless specimen of bixbite should therefore be viewed with great suspicion, especially if it is larger than a quarter of a carat or so.
Even the poorest specimens are remarkably attractive. The most common form of bixbite seems to be tiny crystals interspersed with white rhyolite, or well formed hexagonal crystals almost completely included with rhyolite. These specimens look very much like a pink lumps of bubble gum, which is where they get their nickname. Even in this humble form, a price tag of ten dollars per carat is considered an excellent deal.
The finest specimens are large, relatively clear crystals up to around 6 carats in weight, with a pure, bright color that reminds one of a raspberry red laser. These specimens are easily worth hundreds of dollars per carat for smaller crystals, up to several thousands per carat for a fine specimen over 4 carats. Needless to say, very few natural bixbite crystals have been found larger than that.
The name "bixbite" is controversial and unofficial. Mineralogist Maynard Bixby discovered bixbyite (a completely different mineral, occurring in opaque black cubic crystals) first, so it had already been named in his honor. When he discovered the red beryl crystals, they were named "bixbite." This was considered by many to be too close to the name of the first discovery. There are also those who believe that bixbite should not have its own name at all because its rich red color derives from the same chemical impurity (manganese) that lends morganite its pale pink color.
Personally, I feel that bixbite is unique enough, both in color and occurrence, to merit its own popular name. Purists might insist that there is no such mineral as bixbite, and I would not argue the point. I simply believe that "bixbite" is a convenient way to refer to bright red beryl that originates in the Wah Wah Mountains or Thomas Mountains of western Utah.
A more precise name would be red beryl. The mineral is beryl, and it is most certainly red. Obviously, this would be a correct and perfectly acceptable way to refer to this gem material. Of course, "red beryl" lacks a certain cachet, so the marketers wanted a more romantic name with which to sell the gemstone.
Referring to this gem as red emerald is descriptive but imprecise. Emerald is, after all, the name reserved for green beryl that derives its color from chromium impurities. Clearly, no red gem could actually be an emerald. However, the name "red emerald" confers the mystique and romance of emeralds, which is entirely appopriate for this rare, beautiful and expensive gemstone. It can also help suggest that, like emeralds, bixbite gems are normally included, sometimes severely so, without seriously affecting their beauty or their value. If we take the name to mean "red gem with many similarities with emeralds" then it is quite descriptive.
Red beryl, like emerald, is recognized by the GIA as a Type 3 gemstone. As with emeralds, any apparently flawless specimen of bixbite should therefore be viewed with great suspicion, especially if it is larger than a quarter of a carat or so.
Even the poorest specimens are remarkably attractive. The most common form of bixbite seems to be tiny crystals interspersed with white rhyolite, or well formed hexagonal crystals almost completely included with rhyolite. These specimens look very much like a pink lumps of bubble gum, which is where they get their nickname. Even in this humble form, a price tag of ten dollars per carat is considered an excellent deal.
The finest specimens are large, relatively clear crystals up to around 6 carats in weight, with a pure, bright color that reminds one of a raspberry red laser. These specimens are easily worth hundreds of dollars per carat for smaller crystals, up to several thousands per carat for a fine specimen over 4 carats. Needless to say, very few natural bixbite crystals have been found larger than that.
Check our policies for details. Site last updated 04/17/2008
Copyright (c) 2008 by McQueen Technologies, Inc.