Trapiche sapphire

trapiche sapphire

Trapiche sapphire is a rare variety of the gemstone sapphire, characterized by a six-pointed radial pattern of ray-like spokes of impurities.

Buy natural sapphire in our shop

Trapiche sapphire is a rare variety of the gemstone sapphire, characterized by a six-pointed radial pattern of ray-like spokes of impurities. It is one of several types of trapiche or trapiche-like minerals, which also include trapiche ruby, emerald, garnet, chiastolite and tourmaline. The name comes from the Spanish term trapiche, a sugar mill, because of the resemblance of the pattern to the spokes of a grinding wheel.

The radial pattern exhibits considerable variance, and often includes a hexagonal structure at the core. There is not yet consensus about the mechanism by which the pattern forms, or the conditions required for it. Various models have been proposed.

Sapphire

Natural trapiche sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3). It is typically blue, but natural fancy stones also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors, parti sapphires show two or more colors.

The only color which cannot be is red. As a red color corundum is a ruby, another corundum variety. This variety in color is due to trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium.

Commonly, we cut and polish natural trapiche sapphires as gemstones and worn it in jewelry. They also can be synthetics for industrial or decorative purposes in large crystal boules. Because of the remarkable hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale.

The second hardest mineral, after diamond at 10. We also use in some non-ornamental applications. Such as infrared optical components. High-durability windows. Wristwatch crystals and movement bearings. And very thin electronic wafers. It is as the insulating substrates of very special-purpose solid-state electronics.

Trapiche sapphire

Natural sapphire for sale in our gem shop

We make custom made sapphire as engagement rings, necklaces, stud earrings, bracelets, pendants… Please contact us for a quote.