SourcingDec 16, 2021
Jewelry Knowledge Quiz: Colored GemstonesSourcingJan 13, 2022
Part of the Red Beryl Mine Is Producing Again, One Owner Says
Red Emerald Inc., which is under new ownership, started mining at the Utah site last spring.
Beaver County, Utah—Part of the renowned Ruby Violet (or Red Beryl) mine in Beaver County, Utah is producing again.
According to a minerals specialist at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Cedar City Field office, the mine property is split between two owners, only one of whom has a current approved permit to mine.
That owner is Red Emerald Inc., which recently changed ownership.
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According to a minerals specialist at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Cedar City Field office, the mine property is split between two owners, only one of whom has a current approved permit to mine.
That owner is Red Emerald Inc., which recently changed ownership.
Denise Knoeller and her husband, who is a silent partner, entered into a purchase agreement to become the new owners of Red Emerald Inc. and its claims at the mine.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. It was effective Dec. 31, 2020 and included Red Emerald’s 37 claims in the upper portion of the mining site.
The mining permit covers a little over 6 acres, according to BLM Cedar City.
Red Emerald restarted production in spring 2021 to bring the rare gemstone to market again.
While the company has had to pause mining operations during the winter, they are expected to resume in late spring.
Since Red Emerald just started mining early last year, Knoeller told National Jeweler it’s too early to forecast production numbers or determine when and where they might sell the red beryl.
To give an idea of the gemstone’s rarity, though, the Utah Geological Survey estimates that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.
While the company has had to pause mining operations during the winter, they are expected to resume in late spring.
Since Red Emerald just started mining early last year, Knoeller told National Jeweler it’s too early to forecast production numbers or determine when and where they might sell the red beryl.
To give an idea of the gemstone’s rarity, though, the Utah Geological Survey estimates that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.
The gemstone is a 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale and almost always has inclusions, falling under GIA Clarity Grade Type III along with emerald.
According to GIA, the Ruby Violet (or Red Beryl) mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah is the only known commercial source of gem-quality red beryl in the world.
The other owner of the mine is Red Beryl Inc., comprised of the heirs of the Rex Harris estate; Harris and his family mined red beryl at the site on and off for more than two decades.
They still hold nine claims at the mine but haven’t operated at their portion since 2002, according to BLM Cedar City, and don’t allow anyone onto the property.
According to GIA, the Ruby Violet (or Red Beryl) mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah is the only known commercial source of gem-quality red beryl in the world.
The other owner of the mine is Red Beryl Inc., comprised of the heirs of the Rex Harris estate; Harris and his family mined red beryl at the site on and off for more than two decades.
They still hold nine claims at the mine but haven’t operated at their portion since 2002, according to BLM Cedar City, and don’t allow anyone onto the property.
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