Trapiche Ruby
Very rare variety of Ruby with inclusions forming a star-shaped pattern.
First described 1997
Origin of name: Trapiche is the Spanish word for the cogwheel used to crush sugarcane. In this very rare type of Ruby inclusions form a pattern resembling the spokes of a wheel.
Can be confused with: no other gem
Localities: at the time of writing (July 2018) there were only two known sources. One is in Mong Hsu, Myanmar (Burma), the other in the border area between the two Indian federal states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Burmese Trapiche Rubies hardly ever reach a weight of 1ct.
From India specimens of more than 70cts are known.
Worth knowing: Indian Trapiche Rubies are currently (2018) mined in two pits. One yields red to dark red specimens, while gems from the other pit are characterized by a distinct purple hue.
The Indian occurrences were discovered somewhat accidentally, while (unsuccessfully) prospecting for uranium ore.
Reddish purple Trapiche Ruby
Deep red Trapiche Ruby with comet-like pattern
In this extraordinary specimen the spokes of the wheel are masked by six-sided growth figures
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