Figure 1. These rare double-trapiche emerald slices, about 1.77 ct each, are from Muzo, Columbia. Courtesy of Equatorian Imports Inc. Photo by Eric Welch.
At the AGTA show, Equatorian Imports showed this contributor two pieces of emerald with a very rare double-trapiche pattern. They weighed about 1.77 ct each, and according to the dealer they are from Muzo, Columbia. Instead of a six-ray star, twelve arms radiated from the center of the stone (figure 1). There was no core at the center. The twelve-ray star appeared to be composed of two six-ray stars shifted slightly from each other. All the rays had a dendritic appearance, with some of them intertwined. Unlike previously reported trapiches, these two specimens displayed at least three growth sectors. The formation of this double-trapiche pattern was most unusual.
