Introduction
Red beryl is a dazzling and rare gemstone that captivates collectors and gem enthusiasts alike. Known historically as "bixbite," it is the red variety of the mineral beryl, a family that includes other well-known gemstones like emerald, aquamarine, and morganite. Red beryl owes its striking hue to trace amounts of manganese, setting it apart from its counterparts in both appearance and rarity.
A Spectrum of Beryl
Beryl is a versatile mineral that manifests in a range of colours, each caused by different trace elements:
Emerald (green): Coloured by chromium and/or vanadium.
Aquamarine (blue-green): Gets its colour from iron.
Morganite (pink): Coloured by manganese.
Heliodor (golden): Iron gives this variety its yellow hue.
Goshenite (colourless): Pure, with no colouring impurities.
Red beryl is the rarest of them all, prized for its vibrant red colour, which results from the presence of manganese. You may see red beryl referred to as "red emerald", this is incorrect and is probably done to try to increase sales by association with the word emerald. An emerald by its nature can only be green. In a similar way I also see Prasiolite (Green Quartz) referred to as green amethyst. Amethyst is only purple, never green, just a mistake and sellers capitalising on the popularity of amethyst.
Rarity and Locations
Red beryl is among the rarest gemstones in the world, with a scarcity that rivals or exceeds that of diamonds. It is found primarily in the United States, with its most famous locality being the Wah Wah Mountains in Utah. Small occurrences have also been noted in New Mexico and Mexico, but these are not commercially viable sources.
The sizes of red beryl crystals are typically very small. Most gem-quality specimens are under one carat, and stones exceeding two carats are exceptionally rare. The combination of its limited geographic distribution and small crystal sizes contributes to its extraordinary rarity and high value.
The image on the left shows a natural red beryl crystal from Beaver County, Utah, USA. Its very small as you can see by the size of the tweezer tips but it is typical of its species. Its also heavily included.
Interesting Laws and Facts
• Mining Restrictions: Most red beryl is found on private land in Utah, with mining operations requiring strict adherence to property and mineral rights laws.
• A Collector’s Gem: Red beryl is approximately 1,000 times rarer than diamonds, highlighting its extraordinary exclusivity.
• Historical Missteps: Due to its early misidentification and naming confusion, red beryl’s scientific and gemmological recognition came much later than other beryl’s.
A Collector’s Treasure - Red beryl’s scarcity and vibrant red colour make it a coveted item among gem collectors. Its limited supply ensures that prices remain high, and its uniqueness elevates its status as a collector’s gem. Despite its beauty, red beryl is not as commonly used in jewellery as emerald or aquamarine. Its rarity and typically small sizes mean that pieces set with red beryl are often bespoke or intended for collectors rather than mass-market jewellery. However, its hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale makes it suitable for use in jewellery if handled carefully.
A friend received a gift of a necklace and earring set mounted with both red beryl and benitoite. Two of the rarest gemstones set together – quite incredible. There is some “red beryl” jewellery available online but I would expect that a high proportion of it is either synthetic or not red beryl.
Synthetic Red Beryl: Challenges and Innovation
Unlike other beryl's, such as emerald and aquamarine, red beryl is exceedingly difficult to synthesize. The reasons for this are twofold:
Complex Chemistry: The conditions required to replicate the presence of manganese in the crystal structure are challenging to achieve.
Limited Demand: The rarity and niche appeal of red beryl mean there is less commercial incentive to produce synthetic versions.
This is very interesting because to this day only one batch of synthetic red spinel has been successfully produced. Clearly red presents challenges in the laboratory.
While synthetic emeralds and aquamarines are widely available, synthetic red beryl remains scarce. One notable player in the field is Tairus, a Thai-Russian collaboration known for producing high-quality synthetic gemstones, including red beryl. Tairus uses hydrothermal growth techniques to create synthetic red beryl, mimicking the natural conditions of its formation. However, even their production is limited, and synthetic red beryl remains a rare find.
Tairus had sold out so I bought my piece from Gemtasy on Etsy, it was a bit of a risk however it is a genuine synthetic and I am delighted with it. Gemtasy specialises in creating high quality synthetic gemstones.
The image on the left shows a 3.73ct synthetic red beryl. At nearly 4cts Its large for its species and its almost flawless. It would be incredible to find anything like this as a natural stone. If you are in the market for natural red beryl be very wary of anything that is larger than 1ct and anything that is not heavily included. Expect to pay a very high price for natural red beryl, if its cheap its probably not red beryl.
Its a sad fact that Etsy has many items advertised as red beryl which are highly suspicious, that applies to those mineral specimens as well as faceted material.
Metaphysical Properties
In the realm of metaphysics, red beryl is believed to stimulate vitality, courage, and passion. It is associated with the heart chakra, fostering love and emotional balance. Some believe it promotes resilience and helps overcome challenges, making it a symbolic stone of endurance.
Conclusion
Red beryl is a gem of unparalleled beauty and rarity, bridging the worlds of collectors, gemmologists, and jewellers. Its vibrant red hue, coupled with its scarcity and small sizes, makes it a prized addition to any collection. While advancements in synthetic gemstone technology have made other beryls more accessible, the elusive nature of synthetic red beryl underscores the uniqueness of this remarkable gemstone. Whether appreciated for its metaphysical properties, rarity, or sheer aesthetic appeal, red beryl is truly one of nature’s rarest treasures.
You can read more about red beryl on Mindat - here.