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Lot 8507
Suite of Three Trapiche Emeralds
3 December 2006, 11:00 PST
Los AngelesUS$15,000 - US$20,000
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Find your local specialistSuite of Three Trapiche Emeralds
Coscuez, La Peña Blancas
Muzo Mining District, Columbia
Trapiche emeralds are in a class by themselves and are perhaps the rarest and most memorable of “pattern” gems—certainly the most unusual amongst the big three of emerald, ruby and sapphire. Trapiche is the Spanish word for a “spoked wheel” used to grind sugar cane, which bears a striking resemblance to the pattern in these emeralds. They are typically cut en cabochon to display the beautiful spoke-like star which emanates from a hexagonal center with the areas in between filled with lively green emerald. These rays, which appear like asterisms, are not caused by light reflections from tiny parallel inclusions (as are stars), but from white albite feldspar impurities that happen to form in the same pattern. Gemological examination shows that the trapiche is from white albite feldspar impurities that happen to form in the same pattern and that it is a single crystal and not a twinned specimen as was originally thought. Trapiche emeralds are valued based on a number of factors: saturation and even color, clarity, size and the most important being the definition, completeness and entering of the “rays”.
The present set of three cabochons is rare due to their very large carat weight, their clarity and as well as for the strength and completeness of the well-defined six-rayed star. The cabochons have excellent proportions and would form an unusual pair of earrings and matching pendant—an excellent choice for the collector or designer of novel jewels which is sure to start a conversation! Total approximate weight 62.37 carats. The large cabochon measuring 25.0 x 19.5 x 7.5mm and each of the smaller ones measuring approximately 17.2 x 16.5 x 6.5mm
Muzo Mining District, Columbia
Trapiche emeralds are in a class by themselves and are perhaps the rarest and most memorable of “pattern” gems—certainly the most unusual amongst the big three of emerald, ruby and sapphire. Trapiche is the Spanish word for a “spoked wheel” used to grind sugar cane, which bears a striking resemblance to the pattern in these emeralds. They are typically cut en cabochon to display the beautiful spoke-like star which emanates from a hexagonal center with the areas in between filled with lively green emerald. These rays, which appear like asterisms, are not caused by light reflections from tiny parallel inclusions (as are stars), but from white albite feldspar impurities that happen to form in the same pattern. Gemological examination shows that the trapiche is from white albite feldspar impurities that happen to form in the same pattern and that it is a single crystal and not a twinned specimen as was originally thought. Trapiche emeralds are valued based on a number of factors: saturation and even color, clarity, size and the most important being the definition, completeness and entering of the “rays”.
The present set of three cabochons is rare due to their very large carat weight, their clarity and as well as for the strength and completeness of the well-defined six-rayed star. The cabochons have excellent proportions and would form an unusual pair of earrings and matching pendant—an excellent choice for the collector or designer of novel jewels which is sure to start a conversation! Total approximate weight 62.37 carats. The large cabochon measuring 25.0 x 19.5 x 7.5mm and each of the smaller ones measuring approximately 17.2 x 16.5 x 6.5mm