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The region of pegmatite dikes in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil has been the primary source of gem beryl and several other species of colored gemstones for many years. Rivers have cut places through the dikes and alluvial deposits, called 'cascalho', which are.... (2000) Complete Story
On an excursion in the Alps in 1797, mineralogist, R. J. Hauy discovered some highly vitreous, piezio-electric wedged-shaped crystals that resembled schorl, the dark variety of tourmaline. The incorrect designation, 'vitreous schorl', was used even after axinite was identified as a complicated borate silicate group of minerals. The characteristic axe shape of its crystals gave it its name..... (2000) Complete Story
One of the most beautiful blue gemstones is native to our own country. In 1906, a prospector found what he thought were sapphire crystals in the Diablo Mountain range of San Benito County, California. A year later, mineralogist, G. D. Louderback, identified them as a new mineral which he named benitoite.... (2003) Complete Story
The varieties of beryl found worldwide include one of the most prized and one of the lesser valued of gemstones. The now exhausted mines south of Koseir in Egypt provided Cleopatra with precious emeralds, including, reportedly, one engraved with her portrait. Goshen, Massachusetts is a source of the little known and relatively inexpensive namesake, the colorless 'white' or 'lucid' beryl called goshenite. Aquamarine, heliodor, morganite, and the color designated varieties of beryl, that include yellow, golden, yellow-green, green, and red beryl (bixbite) compose the other members of this group. .... (1999) Complete Story
Dioptase incorporates the native metal, copper in the Si6O18 ring structure with water to form the only gem material that so closely approaches the finest color of emerald. The small and well-defined deep green rhombohedral crystals develop in oxidation zones of weathering copper ore deposits. Its growth in voids of dolomite and limestone formations and irregular druse cavities is often in association with malachite and smithsonite, but admixtures and inclusions seldom occur.... (2003) Complete Story
