Bixbyite from the Maynard Pit, Thomas Range, near Delta, Utah. I dug this one a number of years ago. I was in Utah by invitation of the claim owners. This one sits on the pseudomorphs of hematite after garnet.
Maynard Bixby is credited with the first discovery of the red beryls of Utah and originally they were called Bixbite in his honor. Later scientific investigation determined the Bixbites were only a variety of Beryl not a separate mineral. Bixbyite was discovered in Utah and was named in Bixby's honor. Bixbyite is a rare mineral and form shiny black perfect cubes.
You still can collect at Topaz Mountain. If you plan ahead and contact one of the guide services in Delta you may be able to plan a dig to some more productive claims in the Thomas Range. Start by contacting West Desert Rock Shop in Delta and they can point you in the right direction. While you are in Delta be sure to visit the rock shop.
Utah Rockhounding - Resources - Articles - Maynard Bixby
Rocks and Minerals - Utah Geological Survey
My Etsy Shop
Showing posts with label bixbite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bixbite. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
3 Beryls. 2 Red Beryls from Utah, sometimes called Bixbite in the jewelry community and a "sapphire colored" beryl from Pakistan. I am not going to wade into the treacherous territory of what causes color in minerals so here is an article from a reliable source: Colors in Minerals - Eastern New Mexico University
What I do caution collectors is not to rely on color to determine the identity of minerals. The beryls below are examples of unusual color for beryl and if one would use color only you might never come to the correct mineral identification.
Beryl is a wonderful mineral. It comes in a wonderful variety of colors and is so loved historically many of the colors have their own varietal terms.
Greenish Blue and Blue Beryls are called Aquamarine. I really think the blue beryls need their own name.
"chrome" Green Beryls are name Emerald.
Yellow beryls are called Heliodor.
Red Beryl as indicated above are sometimes called Bixbite.
Colorless beryls are call Goshenite
Pink to pinkish orange beryls are called Morganite.
Raspberry Colored beryls are called Pezzottaite
Read more about beryl: Mineral Photos - Beryllium | Mineral Information Institute
What I do caution collectors is not to rely on color to determine the identity of minerals. The beryls below are examples of unusual color for beryl and if one would use color only you might never come to the correct mineral identification.
Beryl is a wonderful mineral. It comes in a wonderful variety of colors and is so loved historically many of the colors have their own varietal terms.
Greenish Blue and Blue Beryls are called Aquamarine. I really think the blue beryls need their own name.
"chrome" Green Beryls are name Emerald.
Yellow beryls are called Heliodor.
Red Beryl as indicated above are sometimes called Bixbite.
Colorless beryls are call Goshenite
Pink to pinkish orange beryls are called Morganite.
Raspberry Colored beryls are called Pezzottaite
Read more about beryl: Mineral Photos - Beryllium | Mineral Information Institute
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