Colombian trapiche emerald

What is a trapiche emerald?

The word comes from the Spanish trapiche, the wheel of the sugar cane mill, whose spokes the stone reproduces. During the growth of the crystal, the core forms first, then six sectors develop around it. Between those sectors, the impurities of the medium — carbon, graphite, sometimes albite or calcite — are pushed aside and trapped: they draw the six dark arms that are the trapiche's signature.

Contrary to a widespread idea, this is not a twin: the six sectors share the same crystal orientation, they are not twinned crystals. It is a sectoral growth, an accident of the medium turned into a pattern. We explain it in detail in our article on twinning in emeralds.

Why Colombia, and almost nowhere else

The trapiche needs a very particular medium: sedimentary black shales, saturated with carbonaceous matter, where the crystal grows quickly in calcite veins. That is exactly the geology of the Colombian deposits, and that is why almost all the trapiche emeralds on the market come from Colombia. Rare occurrences are reported in Brazil, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, but they remain marginal.

• Muzo and Peñas Blancas

  On the western belt, the greenest sectors and the crispest arms. That is where we buy most often, as told in our travel notebook.

• Chivor

  The historic cradle of the trapiche, on the eastern belt. Cooler greens, often more translucent.

• Coscuez

  Neighbor of Muzo, it also produces trapiches, generally in smaller sizes.

As with any emerald, the name of a mine is traded on more than it is proven. Our listings state the origin as Colombia, the only mention a laboratory can attest; the name of a mine appears only when it is documented.

How to judge a trapiche, and what it costs

A trapiche is not judged like a faceted emerald. Color counts, but the pattern counts more: that is what you are buying. Four criteria make the price difference.

• Crispness of the six arms

  Fine, continuous, well-drawn spokes are worth far more than a diffuse or broken pattern.

• Symmetry and centering

  A regular wheel, with the core well in the middle, is rare: most trapiches are off-center.

• Contrast and color

  The green of the sectors must stand out sharply against the dark of the arms. A pale green washes out the whole pattern.

• Format and size

  Trapiches are cut as slices or cabochons to reveal the wheel. Above 3 ct, supply becomes very narrow.

The stones on this page currently range from €565,00 à €6.700,00. A trapiche is paid for on its pattern, not on its weight: a small, perfectly drawn stone often surpasses a larger one. the 7 criteria that make the price of an emerald.

Frequently asked questions about the trapiche emerald

Certificate, oiling and traceability: our method and our authenticity policy set out every check. See also all our Colombian emeralds.