synthetic beryl, emerald, gems

As-grown and faceted crystals of synthetic hydrothermal emeralds from the USA and USSR were compared in terms of morphology, internal features, and physical properties. The USSR emeralds are notably closer to natural emeralds in physical and optical properties, although both types differ from natural stones primarily in their internal features. USA emeralds (SG: 2.67–2.68, RI: ω 1.572–1.574, ε 1.568–1.569) display bright red fluorescence under 365 nm UV, show Chelsea filter reactions (red), and often contain optical strain, “earthworm” cracks, phenacite, and 2- or 3-phase inclusions—often originating from natural beryl seed plates. USSR emeralds (SG: 2.70–2.71, RI: ω 1.583–1.586, ε 1.577–1.579) are slightly softer (H 7–7.5), show weaker UV fluorescence and pleochroism closer to natural emeralds, and lack spikes or strong zonation. Their inclusions include more naturalistic features like “wheat-head” textures, 2- and 3-phase inclusions, and reddish-brown plates. Growth habits differ slightly, with the USSR stones typically showing multiple growth planes ({112̅1} and {112̅0}) and shorter estimated growth times. Overall, USSR hydrothermal emeralds reach ~90% similarity to natural emeralds, versus ~80% for USA stones and 40–60% for flux-grown emeralds.

beryl, emerald, Colombia, gems

In 1622 the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha sank off the Florida Keys on its way from Havana to Spain. Since then men have dreamed of salvaging her amazing treasure of gold an silver. For more than three centuries, however, their dreams have ended in bitter, often tragic, failure. In the 1960s a man with an overwhelming will committed his life to the search. His name is Mel Fisher, and his own story has become a fascinating part of the Atocha saga. Raising money, developing new equipment, Fisher and his associates have also discovered the location of the sunken ship and her treasure. Most important, however, Fisher has never wavered in his quest, even when he has confronted with economic ruin, government challenges, legal setbacks and the tragic deaths of two members of his family as they tried to reach the dream. Author Dr. Eugene Lyon's research at the Archives of the Indies in Seville Spain played a major role in the successful conclusion of a 16 year search for the Spanish galleon Atocha. 416 pages. Illustrated.

beryl, emerald, gems

Studies on the refractive indices and specific gravities of natural and synthetic beryls are reviewed. Effects of impurities, temperature and pressure on these propertles are discussed. For synthetic beryls, refractive indices and specific gravity are strongly affected by the water pressure applied during synthesis. The emerald with refractive indices as high as natural emeralds can be synthesized by using the high pressure technique.

synthetic beryl, emerald, gems

corundum, quality.10, gems

Morel reconstructs the French queens’ coronation crown from early inventories and illustrations, arguing that its history was closely intertwined with that of the crown traditionally attributed to Charlemagne. He notes that the queen’s crown weighed about 2.5 kg and was set with numerous pearls and precious stones, including ten rubies, eight sapphires, sixteen balas rubies (spinels), sixteen emeralds, and sixteen sapphires, arranged in settings comparable to those of the king’s crown. The 1534 inventory records a bonnet associated with the crown, while a new crimson-velvet bonnet decorated with pearls, gold, silver, and gemstones was made for the coronation of Louis XIII. Morel traces the crown through successive French coronations and inventories, describing alterations, reuse of gemstones, and the eventual disappearance of the crown during the revolutionary period; the article includes a reconstruction drawing based on the documentary evidence.

gems, beryl, emerald, Libya, history of emerald, North Africa

Discusses the “Libyan” emeralds of the ancient world. Monod critically examines the tradition of the supposed “Emerald of the Garamantes,” associated with the ancient Garamantes of the central Sahara. Drawing on classical texts and later interpretations, he traces the development of the story and questions the identification of the material described in ancient sources as true emerald. The study considers the geographical, historical, and mineralogical evidence behind the tradition and illustrates the difficulties created by applying modern gemstone names to ancient terminology. Monod concludes that the celebrated “emerald” tradition cannot be accepted straightforwardly as evidence for an ancient Libyan source of true emerald.

corundum, quality.10, gems

Morel reconstructs the appearance and history of the French royal crown traditionally called the Crown of Charlemagne, destroyed with the other French crown jewels during the Revolution. Using the detailed inventories of 1505 and 1534 and comparison with Montfaucon’s 1766 engraving, he argues that the crown described in 1534 was essentially the same crown later illustrated and that it had replaced an earlier royal crown by 1634. The crown comprised a gold bonnet surrounded by four fleurs-de-lis and four arches, richly set with pearls and gemstones: sixteen ruby balais (spinels), sixteen emeralds, sixteen sapphires, and numerous pearls, with a large ruby balais cabochon at the center of each fleur-de-lis and another crowning the summit. Morel discusses the arrangement and estimated weights of individual stones, including a central spinel of approximately 260 carats, and notes that several gems were believed to have belonged to earlier French rulers, including Jean le Bon. He also traces changes in the crown’s monetary valuation between the inventories of 1505 and 1534 and attributes its declining value largely to the fall in gemstone prices following the expansion of commercial exchanges and discovery of new sources, particularly emerald mines in the Americas.

beryl, emerald, spectra, infrared, gems

The absorption spectra of Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ [V³⁺] have been measured over the wavelength range 350 to 2600 nm, with the observed transitions fitted by the crystal field parameters Δ = 16600, B = 590, C = 2950, ν = 1780, and ν′ = 340, and the theoretical energy levels calculated accordingly; an unexplained complex of lines in the region 16500 to 18400 cm⁻¹ may be due to interactions between V³⁺ and Fe ions.

corundum, India.12, ruby, sapphire, history.1, gems, Indian lapidary

Sinkankas: Gemstones as viewed by an Indian author steeped in traditional lore presents a perspective deeply rooted in India’s enduring cultural relationship with gems, much of which remains seriously regarded today. As noted in a review in Gems & Gemology (Vol. 14, No. 2, 1972, pp. 61–63), the work is a unique combination of Indian culture and gemology." The lengthy and valuable introduction offers insights into Indian gem lore, tracing its origins to ancient texts as well as to more recent sources, many of which are cited by the author, Tank, along with the names of their authors. Topics discussed include the critical importance of imperfections in gems, distinctions between synthetics and naturals, and traditional Indian classifications, listing 84 gemstones in total. At the heart of the book is a focus on the nine traditional gems—emerald, diamond, pearl, coral, zircon, blue sapphire, sapphire, ruby, and cat’s-eye—shown on the color plate preceding the text. These are described using both traditional beliefs and modern scientific knowledge, with an emphasis on the qualities a gem must possess to be considered protective or influential. Tank also explores various gem varieties, their sources, and recommendations for when and where they should be worn for their protective powers. For instance, in the case of pearls, shape is crucial, and over 20 forms are illustrated with their Indian names. The book also includes synonyms for gems in different Indian languages and covers additional stones such as garnet, feldspar, quartz, opal, topaz, tourmaline, and beryl. It concludes with short notes on lapidary treatments and birthstones. Monochrome plates primarily depict cutting styles and one plate on inclusions. Unfortunately, and typically of much modern bookbinding in India, the physical binding is very poor—the spine is unrounded and the inner hinges tend to break upon opening. As noted in Rev/Gemm (Vol. 13, No. 6, 1973, p. 239), the book is not a scientific treatise."

gems, geology, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique belt, Gondwanaland

Gemstones in Gondwanaland. Gemstone localities throughout the world were studied and all districts producing more than two gem species were listed. Van Nostrand’s Standard Catalogue of Gems was consulted extensively. Excluded from consideration were: 1) diamonds; 2) gems such as opal and dioptase which can form in many geological environments via rising or descending waters; 3) gems worth less than $1 per carat; and 4) gems from one-of-a-kind localities such as Franklin, New Jersey. Emerald and amethyst had to be treated as special cases. Seventeen districts qualified for the listing, and of these, 13 were found to lie in an apparently mappable belt running across Gondwanaland. Gem mineralization in all 13 cases appears to be circa 550 million years, although some dates were obtained by inference. Other striking geological similarities were also noted. Some tentative gem correlations between East Africa and Madagascar were made based on the fine structure of the gem belt, leading to a proposed pre-drift position for Madagascar farther north than usually shown. Three of the four remaining gem districts—New York/New England, California, and Carolinas/Virginia—differ in character from the Gondwanaland belt districts and from one another. The fourth, the Urals, seems similar to the Gondwanaland belt but more data is required. Other USSR districts may exist.