Red Beryl

Red beryl is the rare red variety of beryl, the same mineral species that yields emerald and aquamarine. Its raspberry-to-crimson colour comes from manganese. Gem-quality crystals are exceptionally scarce — essentially all faceted material has come from a single area in Utah — which makes red beryl one of the most sought-after collector gems.

Properties

Beryl is hexagonal, hard (7.5–8) and forms prismatic crystals; red beryl typically occurs as small, sharp, tabular-to-prismatic crystals perched in cavities. The older trade name 'red emerald' is discouraged because the stone is not emerald (which is specifically the green, chromium/vanadium-coloured variety).

Occurrence

Crystals form in topaz-bearing rhyolite, a volcanic setting quite different from the pegmatites that produce most beryl. The Ruby-Violet claims in the Wah Wah Mountains and the Thomas Range, both in Utah, are the principal sources. It is closely linked to the catalogue entry for red emerald.