Zimbabwe
In 1956 - 60 period and subsequent years, emerald deposits were discovered in the southeast area of the country and rapidly became an important source of this material. The emerald crystals are characterized by relatively small sizes, in average 3 to 12 mm and rarely up to 30 mm and more in length. The weight of faceted stones is 0.15 to 1.0 ct.Gem-quality greenish blue, pale blue, golden, yellow and colourless beryl was recovered from the weathered zone of the Urungwe-Miami pegmatites. The beryls are characterized by the presence of needle-like channels parallel to the long axis of the crystals, accumulations of which create a silky chatoyancy resembling the cat's eye effect. The amount of raw material suitable for cutting doesn't exceed 2 to 5%.
Ref: E.Ya.Kievlenko, Geology of gems, 2003, pp. 89, 114
Gemstone List
Gem list contains entries from all listed localities in region.Gemstones from Zimbabwe by Colour
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Localities in this Region
Zimbabwe
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