gems, beryl, emerald, Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, China, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, inclusions, history

This substantial collective volume, edited by Gaston Giuliani, provides a wide-ranging multidisciplinary survey of emerald, bringing together contributions by specialists in geology, mineralogy, gemology, history, archaeology, mining, and the gem trade. It examines the mineralogical and gemological properties of emerald, the geological processes responsible for its formation, and a typology of emerald deposits, followed by detailed treatments of important producing regions around the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other localities. Individual chapters address the geology and genesis of deposits, exploration and mining, inclusions, chemistry, geographic origin determination, treatments, and other aspects of gemological identification. Historical sections trace the exploitation, trade, and cultural significance of emerald from antiquity to modern times, including Egyptian, European, Islamic, Asian, and American contexts. Richly illustrated with emerald crystals, cut stones, mines, geological features, inclusions, historical objects, and jewelry, the book combines scientific research with the broader human history of one of the world’s most important colored gemstones.