Red Beryl Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Discovered in 1904, gem-quality red beryls like these crystals on matrix occur only at one site, the Wah Wah Mountains in Utah. 6.0 x 2.7 x 2.6 cm, Harris Claim, Wah Wah Mountans, Utah, USA. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Does Red Beryl Make a Good Jewelry Stone?

Like most beryls, red beryl would make an excellent jewelry stone. However, most fine crystal specimens are zealously guarded by mineral collectors and never faceted. Few crystals even approach gem quality. Lapidaries cut fewer than 10,000 stones per year, with more than 95% of those being melee, mostly in lower grades.

Treat any red beryls set in jewelry with the same caution as emeralds, another variety of beryl. Although red beryls have an exceptional hardness of 7.5 to 8, they may have many inclusions. As a result, extremely rare faceted pieces may also receive fracture fillings. These gems require protective settings, especially if worn as ring stones. However, you’ll more likely encounter these stones in a mineral collection than a jewelry collection.

The best faceted red beryls would have a raspberry pink to slightly purplish red color and be no more than slightly included. The rule of exponential increase in price with increase in carat weight definitely applies to this gem, so often found in sub-carat sizes. With these gems, cut is an afterthought, value-wise. Faceters will try to produce the largest possible finished gems from their prized rough. As a result, the majority of these stones have windows and poor proportions.

Faceted red beryl (bixbite). Photo  by DonGuennie. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.

Are There Synthetic Red Beryls?

Synthetic red beryl manufactured in Russia has entered the gemstone and jewelry market. However, these hydrothermally lab-grown gems do have some properties which distinguish them from natural materials. Consult this 2001 GIA article for detailed information.

Where is Red Beryl Found?

Only one location, the Wah Wah Mountains in the American state of Utah, is known to produce gem-quality red beryls. In the past, various commercial mining ventures have had sporadic success in producing stones, but a new enterprise, using more modern methods, is doing better.

Unlike other beryls, red beryl occurs in white volcanic rhyolite.

How to Care for Red Beryl Gemstones

For cleaning and maintenance purposes, treat red beryls like emeralds. Never use mechanical cleaning methods, such as steam or ultrasonic systems. They may cause inclusions to burst, which can shatter your gemstones. Instead, use only warm water, detergent, and a soft brush for cleaning. Of course, you can also take your red beryls to a professional jeweler familiar with these rare gemstones.

Consult our gemstone jewelry care guide for more recommendations.

Red beryl (crystal size 1.7 cm), Wah Wah Mts, Beaver Co., Utah, USA. Photo by Didier Descouens. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.