Gem Spotlight: Trapiche Emerald

Trapiche emeralds are a rare variety of emerald named after a six-spoke cogwheel used in sugar cane mills (trapiche de cańa azucar in Spanish).

During the emerald crystal's formation, black carbon impurities enter the emerald, forming a six point pattern as they fill in the gaps between growth sectors of the hexagonal crystal structure.

The earliest mention of trapiche emeralds dates back to 1879, when French mineralogist Emile Bertrand described a trapiche emerald at the meeting of the Société Géologique de France.

​The majority of trapiche emeralds are found in Colombia, but they are also currently mined in Brazil and Madagascar.​

A 5.42 ct. natural Colombian trapiche emerald centers this three-stone ring (with GRS Lab Report)

5.42 ct. natural Colombian trapiche emerald and trillion cut diamond three-stone ring