What is the rarest gem in the US？

The rarest gem in the US is Red Beryl, an extremely rare gemstone with its primary deposits as follows:

Utah, USA: Red Beryl was first discovered in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah in 1904. This location is the most famous source of Red Beryl and is currently the main commercial source of Red Beryl in the world.

New Mexico, USA: The Black Range area in New Mexico also produces Red Beryl.

Other areas in Utah, USA: In addition to the Wah Wah Mountains, other locations in Utah such as Wildhorse Springs, Topaz Valley, and Starvation Canyon have also yielded Red Beryl.

Among these sources, the Wah Wah Mountains in Utah are the most important because they are the main commercial source of Red Beryl, while other areas have relatively smaller outputs, often in the form of small-scale or sporadic discoveries. Due to the rarity of Red Beryl, the gems from these locations are extremely precious.

Formation of Red Beryl:

The formation of Red Beryl is a complex process involving geological factors and specific environmental conditions. Here are some key points about the formation of Red Beryl:

Formation of hydrothermal veins: Red Beryl forms in hydrothermal veins associated with rhyolitic volcanic rocks. These veins are believed to be formed by mineral-rich hot fluids that rise from the mantle and circulate through cracks in the surrounding rocks.

Magma source: The fluids that produce Red Beryl are thought to originate from magma sources deep within the Earth's crust. As the magma cools and crystallizes, it releases water and other volatile compounds that integrate into the surrounding rocks, creating the necessary conditions for the formation of Red Beryl.

Role of trace elements: The formation of Red Beryl may involve the presence of certain trace elements, including manganese, iron, and cesium, which may play a key role in the formation of the gemstone.

High temperature and pressure conditions: The formation process of Red Beryl may involve high temperatures, high pressures, and the presence of fluids saturated with dissolved beryllium minerals, aluminum, and other elements. Over time, these fluids crystallize into the unique hexagonal crystal structure characteristic of Red Beryl.

Geological environment: The formation of Red Beryl differs from other beryls as it forms in rhyolitic volcanic rocks containing topaz. The formation conditions are typically low pressure and high temperature. The process begins with rhyolitic lava erupted from a volcanic vent. After the lava cools, cracks form, and beryllium-rich gases escape from these cracks. These gases react with oxidized surface water containing silica, alkali feldspar, and iron-manganese oxides, leading to the formation of Red Beryl crystals.

Geological occurrence: The main geological occurrence of Red Beryl is in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah, where it is found in the main rhyolite rocks. The rhyolite at this location, which contains Red Beryl, is believed to be part of a volcanic ash flow tuff that erupted about 180,000 years ago. The rhyolite is highly fragmented and altered, with Red Beryl appearing in fine-grained rock cavities within the rhyolite.

These conditions work together to make Red Beryl an extremely rare and precious gemstone.

Value of Red Beryl:

Rarity: Red Beryl is considered one of the rarest minerals on Earth, with a price that is quite expensive. It is 100 times rarer than emeralds, and its value is 1,000 times higher than gold. Only one Red Beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds, and a 2-carat Red Beryl gemstone is as rare as a 40-carat diamond.

Unique color: Red Beryl is famous for its bright red color, which ranges from deep red to pink. This color comes from the trace amounts of manganese in its crystal structure.

Physical properties: Red Beryl has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8, making it relatively hard and durable. Its density ranges from 2.66 to 2.70 g/cm³, with a refractive index of 1.566-1.574 and a dispersion of 0.014.

Market value: The price of Red Beryl ranges from a few hundred dollars to over $20,000. For faceted Red Beryl weighing less than 1 carat, the price per carat is generally between $8,000 and $120,000 (or $1,600 to $24,000 per carat). For faceted Red Beryl weighing more than 1 carat, the price per carat is between $10,000 and $250,000 (or $2,000 to $50,000 per carat).

Investment value: Due to its rarity, Red Beryl is considered a good investment, as the value of rare gems will only continue to rise.

Cultural significance: Red Beryl symbolizes creativity, purity, and achievement on its own.

Geological occurrence: Red Beryl is found in only a few places in Utah and New Mexico, with the Wah Wah Mountains in Utah being the main location.

 

Reference

1.  "Red Beryl: One of the World's rarest gemstones – mined in Utah". geology.com. Retrieved 2021-08-30.

2. ^ Jump up to:^a b c Grande, Lance; Augustyn, Allison (2009-11-15). Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-30511-0.

3. ^ "Red Beryl gemstone information". www.gemdat.org. Retrieved 2021-09-21.

4. ^ "Bixbite (Red Beryl)". National Gem Lab. 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2021-09-21.

5. ^ "Red Beryl Value, Price, and Jewelry Information – Gem Society". International Gem Society. Retrieved 2021-09-01.