The Sapphires with a naturally-formed fixed radiating star-like pattern that simulates a spoke-wheel like a pattern are called Trapiche Sapphires. They get their name after a Spanish word Trapiche used for a wheel in South American countries to process sugarcane, due to their resemblance to it.

As with most sapphires, the blue-colored stones are most valuable although trapiche formations can be seen in fancy-colored sapphires as well such as green and purple.

They generally consist of divisions of transparent-to-translucent sapphire separated by thin opaque planes of white or yellow hue. Commonly, the planes are extended from a hexagonal central core.

They are commonly given a Cabochon cut, to display their effect best and thus many times used as centerpieces for rings and earrings.

They have been obtained from several geographical locations from around the world, including Burma, Western Africa, Guinea, Kashmir, Sierra Leone.