Home Care In Beryl, UT

The gemstone has several different names: red beryl, red emerald, or bixbite. Originally, the mineral was named bixbite, but now red beryl is the most accepted designation. Red beryl is estimated to be worth 1,000 times more than gold and is so rare that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.

In 1904, Maynard Bixby discovered red beryl in the Thomas Range located in Juab County, Utah. Bixby thought it might be a new variety of beryl, but the raspberry- red color did not correlate with any beryl known to exist at that time (green, blue, pink, yellow, and clear/white). W.F. Hillebrand, a geochemist from the National College in Washington, D.C., identified the mineral as a new type of beryl in 1905.

In 1912, Dr. A. Eppler named it bixbite in honor of its discoverer. Laboratory analysis showed that manganese and small amounts of iron, chromium, and calcium create the raspberry-red color of red beryl. Like other beryl, red beryl has a hardness of 7.5 to 8.0 and its chemical composition is Be3Al2Si6O18.

Red beryl formation began with the eruption of a topaz rhyolite lava from volcanic vents. As the lava began to cool, shrinkage cracks formed, creating pathways for hightemperature gases rich in beryllium to escape. Oxidized surface water also began seeping into these cracks and mixed with the rising beryllium gases. The gases reacted with the surface water, silica, alkali feldspar, and ironmanganese oxides from the lava to form red beryl crystals.

Red beryl probably grew at temperatures between 300 to 650 degrees Celsius. Red beryl is presently found at only three locations in the world: the Thomas Range and the Wah Wah Mountains in west-central Utah, and the Black Range in New Mexico.

In the Thomas Range, red beryl occurs primarily as short, flat, hexagonal crystals or more rarely as elongated, barrelshaped crystals. The crystals are generally up to 2 –10 mm long and 4 – 6 mm thick. Many of these crystals are too small to be faceted. They are found in cavities and fractures within the Topaz Mountain rhyolite that erupted approximately 6 to 7 million years ago from volcanic vents in the area.

Small crystals can be found in an area called “the Cove,” where they may be attached to other minerals such as topaz, bixbyite, garnet, pseudobrookite, or hematite. Larger crystals that have been faceted into gemstones have been found in the northwest part of the Thomas Range near Wildhorse Springs.

The only known deposit of large, gem-quality red beryl in the world is from the Ruby-Violet claims in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah. These are private claims and no collecting is allowed without permission from the present claim owners.

The crystals occur primarily as elongated hexagonal crystals that are up to 15 mm in length, and the largest crystal discovered to date is 14 mm wide and 34 mm long. Red beryl is generally found along large, near-vertical, northwest-trending fractures and clay-filled seams within the rhyolite member of the Blawn Formation. The rhyolite erupted approximately 18 to 20 million years ago from volcanic vents in the area.

The property has periodically been worked and continues to produce nice mineral specimens and stones suitable for faceting. Red beryl crystals from this location that have been faceted sell for an average of $2,000 per carat. For comparison, gold is currently worth $300 to $320 per ounce (one ounce is equal to 155 carats). [2002 prices]

For more information regarding red beryl, contact the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore – (801) 537-3320, or toll free at 1 (888) UTAHMAP. The bookstore has several rock and mineral publications available for purchase that describe areas where to collect red beryl.

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CEDAR CITY — Five people were arrested after Iron County Metro SWAT officers raided a property in the Beryl area of western Iron County on Wednesday morning.

Arrested were Robert Clay Wilson, 64, William Scott Johnson, 42, Lisa Damarto, 54, Kendra Desoto, 51, and Heather Campbell, 41.

As of Friday morning, both Wilson and Johnson remain in custody in Iron County Jail, while the three women, who were each booked on misdemeanor drug charges, have been released.

According to the probable cause statements filed in support of the arrests, investigators had obtained a warrant to search a property in the Beryl area, based on a tip regarding a skid steer loader that had been reported stolen from a nearby property owner.

SWAT officers arrived at the property and found the skid steer in question, along with a 24-foot travel trailer and a Jeep that had also been reported stolen.

As the individuals were being detained and the property was searched, investigators reportedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and four guns.

Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. David Mitchell told Cedar City News on Friday that the two men were arrested in connection with the stolen property, drug and weapons charges, while the three women were arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants.

Mitchell said more information would be forthcoming. He noted that additional warrants are still being served in connection with the ongoing investigation.

According to his charging documents, Wilson faces two counts of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, a second-degree felony, and two counts of firearm possession by a restricted person, a third-degree felony, in addition to misdemeanor charges of possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

Similarly, Johnson faces four felony counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, along with one felony count of theft by receiving stolen property and misdemeanor drug and paraphernalia charges.

Johnson and Desoto both face an additional charge of interfering with an arrest, a class B misdemeanor, since they allegedly did not come out of their trailer when commanded to do so.

“The Iron County Metro SWAT team began giving announcements to all individuals inside the compound,” their charging documents state, adding that deputies had to break a window to gain access to the trailer.

This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

UTAH (ABC4) – Utah is home to many interesting treasures, and some of them are actually more valuable than gold and rarer than diamonds.

But where can you find such treasure? Well, you can actually find it tucked away in the Thomas Range and the Wah Wah Mountains in west-central Utah.

According to the Utah Geological Survey, Utah is one of the two places in the entire world that is home to red beryl. This gemstone, also known by several other names such as red emerald, or bixbite, is estimated to be worth 1,000 times more than gold. It is so rare that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.

“In 1904, Maynard Bixby discovered red beryl in the Thomas Range located in Juab County, Utah. Bixby thought it might be a new variety of beryl, but the raspberry-red color did not correlate with any beryl known to exist at that time,” UGS shares.

Officials say the jewel was most commonly discovered in hues of green, blue, pink, yellow, and clear/white during the 1900s.

According to UGS, as this discovery was made, the mineral was then identified as a new type of beryl in 1905 by W.F. Hillebrand, a geochemist from the National College in Washington, D.C.

In 1912, the blush stone was then officially named after its discoverer: bixbite.

As teams continued to investigate the new crystal, they discovered that the amount of manganese and small amounts of iron, chromium, and calcium were all key players in creating its raspberry-red tone.

But how did the gemstone come into creation? And why in Utah?

Officials tell ABC4 that an eruption of a topaz rhyolite lava from volcanic vents in the Utah desert resulted in the rare stone’s genesis.

“As the lava began to cool, shrinkage cracks formed, creating pathways for high-temperature gases rich in beryllium to escape. Oxidized surface water also began seeping into these cracks and mixed with the rising beryllium gases. The gases reacted with the surface water, silica, alkali feldspar, and iron-manganese oxides from the lava to form red beryl crystals,” the survey explains.

According to the Utah Geological Survey, red beryl is presently found at only three locations in the entire world: the Thomas Range and the Wah Wah Mountains in west-central Utah, and the Black Range in New Mexico.

“In the Thomas Range, red beryl occurs primarily as short, flat, hexagonal crystals or more rarely as elongated, barrel-shaped crystals,” they add. “The crystals are generally up to 2 –10 mm long and 4 – 6 mm thick. Many of these crystals are too small to be faceted. They are found in cavities and fractures within the Topaz Mountain rhyolite that erupted approximately 6 to 7 million years ago from volcanic vents in the area.”

Officials say that small crystals can be found in an area called “the Cove,” where they may be attached to other minerals such as topaz, bixbyite, garnet, pseudobrookite, or hematite.

“Larger crystals that have been faceted into gemstones have been found in the northwest part of the Thomas Range near Wildhorse Springs,” UGS chimes.

When comparing the gemstone to gold prices, red beryl crystals from this location that have been faceted sell for an average of $2,000 per carat. For comparison, gold is currently worth $300 to $320 per ounce (one ounce is equal to 155 carats).

For more information regarding red beryl, the Utah Geological Survey reccomends contacting the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore at (801) 537-3320, or toll-free at 1 (888) UTAHMAP.

The bookstore has several rock and mineral publications available for purchase that describe areas where to collect red beryl.

Two hundred and forty acres of the southern Utah desert are being transformed into a glamorous glamping experience called OutpostX. Ten units with four different concepts cater to adventurous souls who are seeking a dreamlike vacation under the stars. After two years in development, construction is 80% complete and OutpostX is taking their first reservations on Indiegogo, with the intention of having stays begin in August.

Supporters can select stays at different types of lodging. One-bedroom options include the Zen Domes, which let you sleep until the stars thanks to 360 one-way reflective windows. There’s also the Sky Lodge, which has the feel of a treehouse in Bali with a private deck, drawbridge, and king-sized bed that hangs from the ceiling.

Two iterations of cave dwellings, the Cave Villa and Cave Lux, provide another type of experience. These two-bedroom options have beds on rails that allow guests to sleep indoors or under the stars. Panoramic windows and a bubble skylight allow guests to enjoy the outdoors even while relaxing inside.

All of the lodging options have a kitchenette and air conditioning, so there's no problem escaping the desert heat. There are also plenty of on-site amenities, including a private spa with a sauna, hot clay bath, a common area with hot tubs, an area for pottery making, in-ground trampolines, sand cruisers, and refrigerators stocked with whole foods. An on-site caretaker is also available to help guests make their stay memorable and, given its location nestled close to seven national parks, there is no shortage of nature to explore.

Thanks to its solar power, well, and septic systems, OutpostX is fully off-grid and self-sufficient. In a secondary phase, the creators will be building a 100,000-gallon water reservoir and poplar forest, using mycelium and carbon to create a lush forest that attracts wildlife and retains moisture. The lake bed will trickle into a delta of nourished soil and create a sustainable ecosystem of wildlife without taking water from the aquifer.

Creator Travis Chambers has previous experience constructing unique hospitality stays and was excited to bring his vision to Utah.

“Having visited places like Tulum, the Sahara Desert, and the Middle East, I have always been struck by the distinct atmosphere and unique sense of place that these locations offer,” he shares. “This inspired me to create a space that deviates from cookie-cutter principles often seen in U.S. architecture. OutpostX is a testament to that inspiration, offering a lodging experience that transports guests to a new and exciting world.”

When OutpostX begins taking public reservations, stays will range between $350 to $1,100 per night, depending on the lodging option. Through the Indiegogo campaign, supporters will get a 50% discount, with stays beginning at $175 a night at the Sky Lodge.

Pets are welcome at OutpostX, and supporters will be able to book their trip up to 16 months in advance once stays begin in August. The campaign will close the last week of June, so book now while there's still time.

OutpostX is a luxury glamping experience in the Utah desert.

Located near Zion National Park, guests have four different types of lodging to select from.

The ecolodges are fully off-grid and are designed to immerse guests in nature.

Stays will begin in August, and heavily discounted reservations are available via Indiegogo.

OutpostX: Indiegogo

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by OutpostX.

By William R. Lund, Christopher B. DuRoss, Stefan M. Kirby, Greg N. McDonald, Gary Hunt, and Garrett S. Vice

On January 8-12, 2005, a warm winter storm moved into southwestern Utah from southern California, causing widespread flooding and damage. The flooding extended northward into Escalante Valley in western Iron County about 35 miles west of Cedar City. Erosion by floodwaters revealed five earth fissures in western Escalante Valley. The fissures range in length from about 330 feet to more than 1300 feet, and form a discontinuous, nearly 6-mile long, generally north-trending zone roughly centered on the community of Beryl Junction. Locally the fissures show as much as 12 inches of down-tothe- east displacement. Where unaffected by flooding, the fissures were an inch or less wide, but were quickly enlarged as floodwater drained into them. In places, the floodwater eroded gullies along the fissures up to 10 feet wide and 7 feet deep. Local residents reported that floodwater flowed into the fissures for a period of a day or more during the peak of flooding, and that a vortex formed in the floodwater over at least one fissure.

Escalante Valley is a sediment-filled basin, the deepest part of which lies between Beryl Junction and Newcastle. Escalante Valley is an agricultural area, and ground-water pumping from the basin-fill aquifer began in the 1920s. Measurements in wells indicate that ground-water levels have declined steadily since the late 1940s and show no recovery during periods of above-average precipitation. The area of greatest ground-water decline (95 to 105 feet) extends from near Beryl Junction to Enterprise.

Earth fissures are commonly associated with ground subsidence caused by aquifer compaction, which results from the permanent reduction in volume of fine-grained deposits (silt and clay) within the aquifer following ground-water withdrawal. Fissures up to 10 miles long have been reported in Arizona, and the Las Vegas Valley also has experienced earth fissuring as a result of groundwater pumping. Our investigation showed that the Escalante Valley earth fissures are similar to those that have formed in other western states as a result of groundwater pumping and water-level decline. The Escalante Valley earth fissures extend for considerable distances in a mostly linear fashion across a variety of material types, locally exhibit vertical displacement, and likely extend to considerable depths (perhaps to the ground-water table) based on the volume of floodwater that entered the fissures. Additionally, the fissures coincide with an area of measured ground subsidence (2 to 4 feet between 1941- 1972 and 2005 based on Global Positioning System surveying) and significant ground-water-level decline near Beryl Junction. Other possible causes for the fissures (desiccation cracking, hydrocompaction, surface faulting) typically produce cracks having different characteristics, are limited to clay-rich deposits, or require a large (magnitude 6.5 or greater) earthquake to form.

Ground subsidence and earth fissuring may cause a variety of problems including (1) changes in elevation and slope of the ground surface, possibly affecting streams, canals, and drains, (2) damage to roads, buildings, railroads, and underground utilities, and (3) failure of well casings from forces generated by compaction of the valley-fill alluvium. Additionally, surface water diverted into earth fissures may reach the water table and cause ground water contamination. The landowner at the southern end of the longest earth fissure, which extends into an alfalfa field at its south end, noticed that slopes in his field have changed recently, altering surface-water flow directions and causing water to pond in areas where it formerly drained. He also reported that the casing in a well in the southwest corner of his field sheared and failed during the summer of 2004. Floodwater that infiltrated and enlarged one of the earth fissures flowed through a cattle feedlot prior to encountering the fissure, and contaminated surface water likely reached the water table in that area.

Based on current evidence, the best explanation for the formation of earth fissures in Escalante Valley is long-term ground-water withdrawal, which has caused a significant drop in the ground-water level, permanent compaction of fine-grained deposits in the Escalante Valley aquifer, and ground subsidence near Beryl Junction. We infer that the earth fissures are the surface expression of horizontal tension in the Escalante Valley aquifer formed in response to differential aquifer compaction and ground subsidence in Escalante Valley.

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