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Red beryl or bixbite
This is the extremely rare, ruby-red variety
of beryl. The name bixbite is, however, controversial, due
to the fact t1it is easily confused with bixbyite, an opaque
manganes iron oxide of no gemological value, occurring, likewise
rhyolite in the United States (Utah). Bixbite has a differorigin
from that of both emerald and pegmatite bery being found in
effusive magmatic rocks, and is seen small crystals, yielding
gems usually no more than a ca, in weight, although some may
be 2 or 3 carats.
Appearance Bixbite is a strong,
almost ruby-red, or v let red, always with numerous inclusions
and often, internal flaws. Its pleochroism is comparable to
that of ruby.
Distinctive features Too few examples have
been se to permit generalization. The refractive indices are
high beryl, ca. rE 1.585, nw 1.594.
Occurrence Bixbite has only been found in rhyolite in w United
States (Utah and New Mexico).
Value Given its extreme rarity, attractive
color and w publicity that surrounded its discovery, it is
of high vai but extremely hard to come by, hence, an exclusive
colitor's item.
Simulants and synthetics Being very little
known, it not been imitated, nor produced synthetically, at
any rate not commercially.
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