AGTA GTC's Laboratory Update for September 12, 2006
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A Closer Look at Malysheva Emeralds
In July 2006, at the invitation of Canada's Tsar Emerald Corp., the AGTA GTC's Richard Hughes visited the famous Malysheva emerald and alexandrite deposit outside Yekaterinburg, Russia. Following that visit, Tsar Emerald provided the AGTA GTC with a number of both rough and cut emerald specimens for complete gemological examination. What follows are some brief preliminary findings.
A group of emerald crystals from Russia's Malysheva emerald mine. Specimens courtesy of Tsar Emeralds Corp.; photo: Wimon Manorotkul/Pala International. |
The Malysheva emerald mine has been mined
since 1831, principally for the element beryllium, with the gem emerald and alexandrite
being a byproduct of that mining.
We found the gemological features of the current production to be
consistent with those previously reported in the gemological literature (see Schmetzer, 1991).
Below are a few photomicrographs that illustrate the major inclusion features. A full article
on the deposit will be forthcoming.
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Lathe-shaped flakes of phlogopite mica spin through the green depths of a Malysheva
emerald. Specimen courtesy of Tsar Emeralds Corp.;
photo: John Koivula/AGTA GTC.
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While comparatively rare, amphibole needles are a feature of some Malysheva emeralds,
as shown in this photomicrograph produced in polarized light. Specimen courtesy
of Tsar Emeralds Corp.; photo: John Koivula/AGTA GTC.
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One of the most diagnostic features seen was thin liquid films lying on the basal
plane, seen here with both reflected and transmitted light. Specimen courtesy of Tsar
Emeralds Corp.; photo: John Koivula/AGTA GTC.Further reading
- Laskovenkov, A.F. and Zhernakov, V.I. (1995) An update on the Ural emerald mines. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 106–113.
- Schmetzer, K., Bernhardt, H.-J., Biehler, R. (1991) Emeralds from the Ural Mountains, USSR. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 86–99.
GIA Gemological Research Conference and Symposium 2006
The GIA Gemological Research Conference and Symposium took place in San Diego, CA from August 26–29, 2006. AGTA GTC staff members Lore Kiefert, Garry Du Toit, Riccardo Befi and Richard Hughes attended and contributed to this great event.
Prior to the Conference, Lore, Garry, and Riccardo took the opportunity to join a field trip to the tourmaline mines above the town of Pala, ably organized by the GIA's Jim Shigley and Brendan Laurs. The day began with a tour of the mineral and gem collection at Pala International/The Collector in Fallbrook, hosted by AGTA founding member, Bill Larson. This was followed by a trip to three mines, including Blue Shepard's Stewart , Bob Dawson's Pala Chief and Roland Reed's Elizabeth R.
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Roland Reed holds a large morganite (beryl) crystal outside his Elizabeth R mine near
Pala, California. Photo: Richard Hughes/AGTA GTC.The Research Conference had an attendance of 700 people, many of which were old acquaintances from around the world. A large number of AGTA members were also in attendance, including some board members. Kiefert, Du Toit and Befi collaborated on posters on coated topaz and demantoid garnet from Iran, the latter in cooperation with Makhmout Douman; who also exhibited specimens.
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Makhmout Douman in front of his poster on demantoid
garnet from Iran.
Photo: Lore Kiefert. Lore Kiefert reported on sapphires from New Zealand in the session about new gem localities. In the later Symposium that followed, Lore Kiefert was a panelist in a session on origin determination and Richard Hughes a panelist on gemstone treatments.
The Symposium was marked by superlatives in all areas, including attendance (over 1500), expert speakers and lavish parties. Hats off to the GIA for hosting a wonderful event.
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Enjoying the festivities at the recent GIA Symposium. From left to right: Stuart Robertson,
Lore Kiefert, Roland
Schluessel, Nata Schluessel, Loretta Castoro and Robert Weldon. Photo:
Brendan Laurs.
Upcoming Lectures
Toronto, Canada, October 28, 2006
The AGTA GTC's Richard Hughes will be delivering the keynote address at the Canadian Gemmological Association's 2006 Conference and Graduation.
- From Madagascar to Malysheva:
In Search of the Precious Stone
28 October, 2006
Toronto, Canada
Bangkok, Thailand, December 6 –9, 2006
The AGTA GTC's Lore Kiefert and Richard Hughes will present lectures at the 1st GIT International Gem & Jewelry Conference.
- Demantoid Garnet from Iran
By Dr. Lore Kiefert - Coated Topaz
By Dr. Lore Kiefert - Gem Hunting in Central Asia: Russian Emerald, Tajik Ruby &
Spinel
By Richard W. Hughes, with Vincent Pardieu
