GEMSTONE SPECIES - INORGANIC

Red Beryl is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth, much rarer than diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, or Sapphires. Mining yields every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds, but only one red beryl is extracted. Found only in a few locations, primarily the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah, USA.

Important Note on Naming:
The term "Bixbite" was officially discontinued by the gemological community to avoid confusion with Bixbyite.
Today, "Red Beryl" is the preferred and correct name for what was once called "Bixbite."

Emerald is one of the most precious and iconic gemstones in the world. Beloved for its vivid green colour and historical significance, it has been prized for thousands of years.
Inclusions are expected and accepted:
Unlike diamonds or sapphires, emeralds almost always have visible inclusions.
These are called "jardin" (French for "garden") and are part of the stone's character.
Inclusions don’t necessarily lower the value, unless they threaten durability.
Often Treated with Oils:
Emeralds are commonly treated with oils or resins to improve clarity.
This is widely accepted in the trade, but must be disclosed.
Few other gems are routinely treated in this way.
Value Driven by Colour More Than Clarity:
For most gemstones, clarity is critical.
In emeralds, colour is the most important factor are vivid green with some inclusions may be more valuable than a clean but paler stone. 

 Golden Beryl is a yellow to golden-yellow variety of the mineral beryl. It is often overshadowed by its more famous siblings like emerald and aquamarine, but it’s a stunning gem in its own right.

The terms Golden Beryl & Heliodor are sometimes used interchangeably, but some gemologists distinguish them

Golden Beryl vs. Heliodor:
Golden Beryl --> Rich golden to light yellow stones
Heliodor --> Yellow beryls with a greenish or golden tint
Treatment:
Often natural and untreated 

Morganite is a pink to peach-coloured variety of beryl, beloved for its delicate hues, brilliance, and romantic charm. It's considered the “gemstone of love”, making it a popular alternative to diamonds in engagement rings.

What Makes Morganite Special?
--> Morganite is a pink beryl with a soft, romantic appeal.
--> A perfect blend of beauty, durability, and affordability.
--> Commonly treated, but treatments are stable and disclosed.
--> A meaningful alternative to traditional gemstones for modern jewelry. 

Aquamarine is a blue to blue-green variety of beryl, treasured for its crystal-clear appearance, oceanic hues. Its name comes from the Latin "aqua marina", meaning "water of the sea."

What Makes Aquamarine Unique?
Clarity --> Aquamarine is often very clean, with few or no visible inclusions.
Colour Range --> The most desirable (and valuable) colour is vivid sky-blue or “Santa Maria” blue (from Brazil).
Size Variety --> Occurs in large crystals , stones over 10 carats are common and still affordable.
Durability --> Hard enough for daily wear and resistant to scratches, but can be brittle if heavily included or poorly cut.
Treatment:
Often heat-treated to remove greenish tints and enhance the pure blue tone.
This treatment is stable, permanent, and widely accepted. 

Goshenite is the colourless variety of beryl, often referred to as the "mother of all beryls" because it's the pure form of the mineral. All coloured beryls (emerald, aquamarine, morganite & heliodor) start from a base of goshenite, and trace elements introduce their vivid colours.

Key Characteristics:
Pure Beryl Structure --> No colouring agents, a perfect example of the beryl mineral. Basis for understanding how colour impurities affect other beryl types.
Excellent Clarity --> Often very clean and transparent, comparable to quartz or topaz.
Durable for Jewellery --> Strong enough for everyday wear (though not as tough as sapphire or diamond).
Synthetic Possibilities --> Sometimes used to grow synthetic emeralds through hydrothermal methods.

Cat’s Eye Beryl is a rare optical variety of the beryl family that exhibits a stunning phenomenon called chatoyancy, or the “cat’s eye effect.” When cut as a cabochon, it displays a sharp, narrow band of light across its surface, resembling a cat’s slit-like pupil.
Chatoyancy in Beryl:
--> The cat’s eye effect is uncommon in the beryl family, making this variety particularly collectible. Only appears in stones with perfectly aligned needle-like inclusions.
 Variety of Colors:
--> Can appear in several shades of beryl (golden, green, bluish), with golden-yellow being most common.
Rare and Natural:
--> Most Cat’s Eye Beryls are untreated, with chatoyancy occurring naturally. Very few specimens are clean and strong enough to exhibit a sharp, centered eye.
Durability:
--> Hard and suitable for jewelry, though the cabochon surface can be more susceptible to scratching than faceted cuts. 

Trapiche Emerald is a unique and extremely rare variety of emerald that displays a six-pointed radial star pattern, resembling the spokes of a wheel or a sliced sugarcane (called trapiche in Spanish)

What is a "Trapiche" Gem?
A trapiche gem displays a distinct radial pattern, usually with six arms radiating from a central core, resembling a star or wheel.

(Note: Only trapiche emerald is considered a true trapiche gemstone; the others are Trapiche Ruby, Trapiche Sapphire, referred to as trapiche-like)

Where Are Trapiche Emeralds Found?
Colombia is the only known source of true trapiche emeralds, specifically:
Muzo Mine
Chivor Mine
Coscuez Mine
These emeralds are not found in Zambia, Brazil, or other emerald-producing countries.