What is Bixbite?
Bixbite is one of the names given to Red Beryl. It measures 7.5 -8 on the Mohs scale and has a hexagonal crystalline structure and a vitreous luster. The red color of Bixbite is the result of the inclusion of manganese in its formation.
Most specimens are small as the conditions required to combine manganese with the Beryl minerals occur only rarely and in small quantities.
It is brittle, with a tendency to crack along the cleavage, and is only very rarely faceted into stones for gemstone jewelry.
Where is Bixbite Found?
United States. Bixbite may also be lab-created, with lesser metaphysical properties than the naturally occurring gem.
The History & Lore of Bixbite
Bixbite is a one-source gemstone and it is found only in Utah, United States.
It is estimated that for every 150,000 diamonds mined, of gem quality, only one crystal of Bixbite is unearthed.
It gets its color from manganese and its name from the mineralogist Maynard Bixby, who first discovered it.
However, Bixbite is now more commonly known as Red Beryl, because the name Bixbite is too easily confused with bixbyite, another mineral named after Maynard Bixby.
Likewise, the name “Red Emerald” is deemed too confusing.
It is possible that ancient civilizations discovered Bixbite long before Maynard Bixbite and assumed that the gem was a form of Ruby.
There is more lore surrounding this stone now, with people eager to assign it the importance of being a New Age Stone, with a strong connection to the Earth and to ecology and environmental issues.
It is believed that Bixbite directly accesses the power at the center of the planet and pulls it to the surface, where it can be accessed by those who perform grounding and anchoring meditations for this purpose.
Description of Bixbite
Bixbite is also called Red Beryl or Rubellium. It is deep, pinkish-red in color, and has a vitreous luster.
Its crystals are hexagonal, and it is rare to find Bixbite weighing more than .5 carat.
How to Identify Bixbite
If you are ever lucky enough to come across Bixbite, or Red Beryl, you should be able to identify it by its relative hardness (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale), its vibrant, deep pink to red color, and the fact that it is translucent to opaque.
Be very wary of larger stones purporting to be Bixbite. They are extremely rare, and any specimen above one carat will cost thousands of dollars.
Types of Bixbite
Bixbite is a type of Beryl. Other members of the same mineral family include Emerald, Goshenite, and Morganite.
Bixbite Treatment
How to Clean and Care for Bixbite
To care for Bixbite you should treat it as you would an Emerald.
Mild soap and warm water can be used to clean it of surface dust and debris.
It can be left overnight in the moonlight to charge and restore its vibrations, and great care should be taken when wearing it as jewelry.
Avoid wearing it during manual tasks and contact sports as it will fracture quite easily.
Buyers Guide: Tips & Advice
When purchasing a bixbite gemstone, it is important to consider the source, understand the pricing, and have the gemstone appraised.
Having the gemstone appraised will help ensure that you are getting a quality bixbite gemstone at a fair price.
Bixbite Quality Factors
Color
Look for a vibrant, deep pink when considering buying Bixbite.
Some specimens are paler, resembling Rose Quartz, but the best ones will have a high saturation of color.
Clarity
Unlike some of the other Beryls, Bixbite is rarely totally transparent, leaning more towards translucent.
It may contain inclusions, although most specimens of Bixbite are not as included as Emeralds.
Cut
Faceted gems are very rare. Bixbite raw does not occur in sizes large enough to make many gems.
And the crystals are quite brittle, and subject to fracturing quite easily, which makes gemmologists reluctant to cut or dress them.
Carat Weight
Bixbite is much rarer than Diamond, and even small specimens can be quite expensive.
Carat weights higher than one-carat command incredibly high prices.
Bixbite and Chakras
Bixbite keeps the lower chakras clear and vibrant.
It energizes the Base and Sacral chakras and removes blocked or stagnant energy so that these chakras can support your physical and emotional bodies through grounding and connecting to the Earth.
The Base chakra governs our three-dimensional physical existence.
When it is clear and balanced, we feel safe and secure in all aspects of our material survival.
This applies to the fundamentals such as money, food, shelter, and personal safety.
When the Base chakra is out of tune with the rest of the chakra system this can affect the flow of energy up from the ground and from the base of the spine.
The Base chakra needs to be clear and strong if we are to benefit from the energy running along the Kundalini line.
Bixbite brings in positive energies and transmutes negativity from this area.
Bixbite is also beneficial for the Sacral Chakra.
This is the root of our creativity and also of the sexual energy that allows us to revel in the pleasures of the senses.
It works with the Base chakra to keep us firmly rooted in the Earth and also links with the higher chakras to turn creative ideas into reality.
Use Bixbite in chakra balancing to open, activate and cleanse the Base and Sacral chakras, as well as bring in positive vibrations to the Heart chakra.
When the Heart chakra is out of balance or restricted in some way, we are reluctant to trust others or to give freely of our own love through fear of being hurt.
Bixbite brings the strength of character, and the confidence needed to express ourselves with integrity and authenticity.
When we can communicate in an honest way, we can honor our own feelings and truths.
This has an effect on those we interact with, who are encouraged to honor our feelings in the same way, even if they disagree with us.
Bixbite Healing Properties
Physical Healing Properties
Bixbite promotes self-healing and encourages damaged cells to repair themselves.
It is especially beneficial during periods of convalescence and promotes vitality and increases stamina.
This form of Beryl can be used to treat disorders of the stomach, including IBS and digestive imbalances.
It supports the heart, lungs, and spleen, encouraging the production of red bone marrow and hemoglobin.
It treats the pancreas, liver, and kidneys and aids the body in the absorption of minerals.
Bixbite has an affinity with the Sacral chakra and supports the reproductive organs, increasing fertility and treating sexual issues of loss of libido or impotence.
Mental & Emotional Healing Properties
Emotionally, Bixbite cleanses and supports the Heart Chakra, allowing for easier expression of feelings of love.
It promotes self-love and helps to treat physical illnesses that have resulted from self-sabotage or repressed trauma due to early abuse.
Bixbite encourages one to feel more loving towards oneself and to recognize where healing of emotions needs to take place.
It releases karmic blocks that have arisen from ancient wounds or conflict.
Bixbite promotes self-confidence and self-esteem. It brings courage to the naturally timid and encourages us to be confident in our creative endeavors.
Metaphysical Properties
Bixbite is rare and occurs in small stones that are nevertheless extremely vibrant in color.
It is a passionate stone, with strong connections to Earth energy.
Like other members of the Beryl family, Bixbite can be described as a “right time” stone.
It points us in the right direction and gives us the confidence to take the action necessary to achieve our goals and dreams, at exactly the right time.
It is also a stone for change and transition, allowing us to give ourselves permission to change anything that we are not happy with, from mindset to relationships or careers.
Bixbite imparts the motivation and vigor needed to tackle long-term or overdue projects.
It is also a powerful protector stone that blends the energies of the Earth, through the Base chakra, with those of the Heart, to draw Life Force Energy from the cosmos into the physical body.
Bixbite has powers of protection and can be called upon to heal tears or holes in your aura, especially those resulting from abuse or manipulation by others.
It brings negative feelings out into the open and transmutes them into loving positive vibrations.
Spiritual Healing Properties
Bixbite is an Earth stone and a stone for the New Age. It pulls down the vibrations of the cosmos and grounds their energies into this earthly plane.
It encourages recognition of other worlds and realms, enhances communication with spirit, and reminds us that all we need is to be loved.
Bixbite can help to strengthen spiritual commitments and provides courage and support when faith or convictions are wavering.
If you are working on your own spiritual development, Bixbite can be used to enhance self-reflection.
It can be difficult to accept our shadow side at times, but until we do, and integrate those aspects of ourselves that we would rather keep hidden, we will not be able to grow spiritually.
When you are ready to delve into past hurts or to face your own demons, Bixbite brings courage, strength, and support to the process.
How to Use Bixbite
As Jewelry
Bixbite gemstone jewelry is very rare. If you do own a piece, treat it with care as it can be damaged easily by knocks or bangs.
In-Home and Office
Bixbite has qualities of protection and compassion.
It can be placed in the home or workplace to encourage fraternity and mutual respect between individuals who live or work together.
Best Crystal Combinations with Bixbite
Bixbite and Apache Tear
The combination of Bixbite with this gentler form of Obsidian allows negativity to be brought up gently from the energetic memory and transmuted slowly so that the effects are not overwhelming.
It is especially good for those dealing with sexual abuse, old emotional trauma, or excessive grief.
If you want to transmute grudges and long-held grievances into healthier, more positive feelings, try using Apache Tear and Bixbite in a focused meditation.
Bixbite and Rhodonite
Rhodonite heals emotional shock and panic. It supports the Heart chakra and cleanses the aura of negativity arising from emotional self-destruction.
When combined with Bixbite, the vibrations of the two crystals are beneficial in the healing of emotional wounds from the past, co-dependency, and festering anger or resentment.
Bixbite and Aquamarine
Both of these stones are forms of Beryl, and their vibrations are mutually energizing and enhancing.
Aquamarine has calming energies that will cool an overactive mind and soothe anxiety and fears.
Both stones promote courage and tolerance in human interactions.
This combination is excellent for filtering out distractions and irrelevant information, helping to focus the mind on what is important and to avoid procrastination.
Read more about Crystal combinations for Aquamarine.
Final Thoughts & Conclusion
Bixbite deserves respect, if only for the fact that it is a very rare and beautiful stone.
It resonates with the lower chakras, keeping you grounded and stable, and also with the Heart.
It engenders feelings of love and compassion, understanding, and mutual tolerance.
Bixbite can be used to protect yourself from negative entities, thought forms, or vibrations from others, especially when those individuals are envious or jealous of what you have, or what you are.
It is an excellent tool for healers. It energizes both the practitioner and the recipient when used to augment energy healing.
It is a stone of vitality and strength, replenishing energy lost to mental or physical exhaustion.
It is also a good stone for athletes, gymnasts, and dancers.
It encourages expression through physical movement and helps reignite the passion for movement in those who are suffering or recovering from the effects of a long-term illness.
Bixbite is also a stone of passion and can be kept as a talisman to rekindle the fires of love in established relationships as well as promote love, joy, and excitement in new relationships.
References
Gemporia | Gemsociety | Gemstones | Mindat
