Huacaya Alpacas Deceased

Hi, my name is Winks. I wasn’t here for long, but oh, did I love being here. I came into this world small, but I didn’t let that stop me. I had fuzzy legs, a strong will, and someone who believed in me more than anything. Darcy said I was brave. I liked hearing that. I didn’t understand what was wrong with me—I just knew that I wanted to stay. People sent prayers and love. I felt them. I felt every warm bottle, and every hand that touched me gently. I had trouble seeing, but I could feel the light. And the love? That was brighter than anything. Even though I didn’t win the battle for my body, I won the one that matters—I was loved. I was believed in. I was part of a herd that called me extraordinary. So now I run free where legs are strong, eyes are clear, and hearts never break. But I remember. I remember everything. Thank you for loving me. Love always, Winks Tiny Warrior.

Rare Gem Twinkle Star was born quietly under a star-filled sky—on the one cold night we’ve had this season. He was a handsome Harlequin Appaloosa male with inky black spotting, and even in those first moments you could see the promise: a sweet face, striking patterning, and fiber that already showed quality. Tragically, Twinkle Star was lost to hypothermia before he could nurse or be warmed in time. We tried to revive him—just as we were able to save a cria in similar conditions years ago—but this little one was already gone. His dam, Stone Pine Josie, has been everything we know her to be: a devoted, steady mother who grieved deeply and stayed by his side all day and well after dark. We honor that bond and the space a dam needs in a moment like this. Twinkle Star is remembered with tenderness and respect, and we honor him here as part of Josie’s legacy and the repeating pairing we believed in. We wish we could have come to know you, Twinkle Star—but you will always be remembered. In partnership with Stone Pine Farm — lovingly remembered.

And a little history on Harley... Years ago I looked out into a large herd of alpacas when I was visiting a ranch and one alpaca in particular caught my eye. Before I even knew what a harlequin was, the stunning Bella Gris started my journey to learn about harlequins and what makes them so very special. In 2016, I had an opportunity to add this beautiful harlequin daughter of Bella Gris to my herd. Their looks are very different, one a very light silver grey platinum harlequin and the other a darker version-- both simply exquisite! While Harley's color is a variation of her dam's, she carries the same beautiful phenotype of her dam and sire-- LV Vantaggio Di Bisturi--with fleece to die for. And for those Bisturi and Assie Rockford lovers-- Harley is the granddaughter of both! UPDATE: 2021 Fiber Stat results just in. Please note Harley's test scores... her stats practically unchanged since 2014!

IN LOVING MEMORY It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of our beloved Snowmass Andean Diamond and her 5/16/25 cria, a 21-pound female, who both passed during a tragic and complicated birth. Ande was one of our very best—selected for a highly anticipated outside pairing with the champion Appaloosa herdsire, Cygnus. This match held great promise, and we were deeply excited about the potential of this next generation. Despite the swift involvement of our experienced veterinarian, the birthing complications could not be resolved with a positive outcome for mom and baby. Ande was just beginning what we believed would be a remarkable breeding career. She leaves behind only one offspring—Dark as Knight, a lovely champion black male now owned by Clover Leaf Farm. More than her genetics, Ande was known for her strong spirit and stand-out personality within the herd. Her loss has left a deep ache here at Rare Gem Alpacas, and her absence is felt every day. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Snowmass Andean Diamond is a lovely Divine Love granddaughter. She is new addition to the Rare Gem herd purchased from the Snowmass 2021 Bred Maiden Sale. Andean Diamond is bred for color to Snowmass Divine Kingship for a 2022 cria. On 6/12/22, Ande delivered a lovely 16 lbs black male sired by Snowmass Divine Kingship. Ande's maiden delivery was textbook perfect and she is an attentive mother with tons of milk. Her cria is straight and solid. His fleece is curly and thick from the get-go! Thank you Lynn Edens for selecting this pairing... and the result.. in black!! We couldn't be more pleased.

** UPDATE ** It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating loss of our beautiful Breezy. On August 19, 2025, Breezy passed away at just 2 ½ years old due to a sudden perforated stomach. This tragedy also claimed the life of her first cria, a leopard appaloosa female by Snowmass Divine Optics, who was due in only 7 weeks. Breezy was so much more than her incredible pedigree and show accomplishments. From the moment she arrived, her sweet disposition, gentle spirit, and striking beauty made her a daily joy here at Rare Gem. She carried the promise of advancing our Appaloosa and Harlequin program, and her loss is felt deeply. Though her time with us was far too short, Breezy left an indelible mark on our hearts and in the Rare Gem program. We miss her presence every single day and will always treasure the light she brought to our farm. — Rare Gem Alpacas __________________________________________________________________________________________ Breezy is a robust appaloosa cria. She weighed 22 pounds at just five days old and 90 pounds at 6 months old. She is the first offspring of our white color genotype eeAA - harlequin cross sample. We knew we had zero chance of harlequin but were hoping for an elite-fleeced classic appaloosa (25% chance). And that is exactly what we got, right on time, Day 340... she arrived. Her fleece is dense and well-defined from day 1. Breezy has an amazing pedigree. Her dam is from the Snowmass breeding program-- Snowmass Dreams Everlasting "Dreamy" sired by Snowmass Everlasting Paramount-- the offspring of Snowmass Best Man. On the dam's side is Snowmass Divine Dream and Snowmass Divine Inspiration. It is very exciting to have an appaloosa with such distinguished lineage. Breezy's sire is the wildly expressed harlequin appaloosa-- Apache Gentleman. Apache has over 30 registered offspring of which the majority are either appaloosa or harlequin. Both of Breezy's parents are the producers of champion offspring. Apache has a number of champion offspring including 3X champion Apache Gentlemen's Alchesay. Breezy's most recent banner winning sibling is appaloosa female, Stone Pine Jolene-- 2023 AOA National Multi Reserve Champion. Sire, Apache, also has two Get of Sire awards with his appy and harlequin offspring -- a 1st place and 2nd place. (Photos included on Apache's page). Apache's pedigree is packed on both sides with wonderfully expressed appaloosas and harlequins. UPDATE: Fall 2024 Breezy has headed to Thordarson Farm in Oregon for her maiden breeding. After careful consideration for "just the right male" for Breezy, we have landed on Snowmass Divine Optics. We are sure that this pairing will produce some extra special!!

UPDATE: It is with a heavy heart that I share that Sriracha has left us way too soon. In December 2023, he passed due to a 360 degree colon torsion. Sriracha's sweet personality was always a highlight of my day on the farm. Here at Rare Gem Alpacas, harlequin appaloosa, Tic Tac, is due to have his 2024 offspring. While he cannot be replaced, we look forward to this cria to help fill the void that is felt in Sriracha's absence. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sriracha is the son of Springtoo Skyfall, 2X Judges's Choice winner, 5X banner winner and recipient of numerous prestiges awards including two Spirit of the Industry awards, Best Brightness, Best Crimp and Best Hand awards! And the apple didn't fall far from the tree... Sriracha has an amazingly bright fleece, density, uniformity, fineness and crimp galore! Add a beautiful phenotype, gorgeous head and a perfect bite. What more could you ask for? He is as sweet as can be and he gives kisses! Sriracha settled his first girl in March 2020. We leased his daddy in the past and were so very pleased with the outcome-- he throws color and even appaloosa when bred to it! Sriracha has some big alpaca feet to fill.... he will be bred across all colors and patterns... sure to produce something out of the ordinary! Sriracha is co-owned with Diamond Valley Alpacas.

Handsome harlequin male. Big-boned, dense bundled fleece from day 1. Dam is AOV Accoyo Eros daughter with Jericho/Jeremiah/Mr. President on her maternal side. She was purchased at the Amber Autumn auction and has been a great producer for us. Her first offspring took Reserve Light Color Championship at her first show— 2022 Alpacapalooza. Spirit’s sire is the highly expressive harlequin appaloosa herdsire Apache Gentleman. Apache has a pedigree packed with outstanding appaloosas and harlequins stemming back to gene carriers— Black Epic and My Peruvian Zephyrus. We are very excited to see what is already appearing to be a highly evolved harlequin fleece. If you are interested in breeding for rare fleece colors, you can also read our recent article in The American Alpaca Journal: Breeding for Rare Fleece Colors by Clicking Here