Beryl

specimen number:
2062400

location:
Topaz Mtn., Thomas Range, Utah, USA

description:
A small but nice red tabular crystal of beryl measuring 0.4 cm in size and a rhyolite matrix. In great condition. Collected in 1977.

Topaz Mountain in the Thomas Range of Utah is a prominent public rockhounding locality that does not have a formal historical opening or closing date, as it operates on open public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Mineral exploration and discovery in the area began around the turn of the twentieth century, driven by prospectors like Maynard Bixby. Geologically, the mountain is composed of Tertiary-age, topaz-bearing rhyolite lava flows and tuffs formed approximately 6 to 7 million years ago. Its famous amber or sherry-colored topaz crystals, along with rare micro-crystals of red beryl, crystallized via vapor-phase deposition within gas cavities and lithophysae as the volcanic rocks cooled.

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