Good day! Did you know that Russia is one of the four countries where the largest deposits of emeralds have been discovered? Ural stones are known throughout the world and are considered a symbol of luxury and wealth. From the moment of discovery until today, rock mining sites in Russia have faced difficult challenges.
There were also amazing finds that enriched the treasury of the world, miners' riots, changes from hand to hand, flooding and even dynamite explosions on government orders. Where are emeralds mined today in the Russian Federation and how highly are the stones valued in the world? Read below.
History of the Ural spring
The country and the world first heard about Malyshevsky minerals from the light hand of smolokur Kozhevnikov. In 1831, he discovered several green stones in the roots of a tree protruding from the ground. Thus, an emerald vein was discovered, which managed to provide the country with colossal income.
The Ural spring turned out to be more than generous. In the first ten years after the start of emerald mining, more than 5 thousand carats of stones were cut. Thirty years later it was already 142 pounds of minerals.
In the 30s the situation changed. The governing bodies of the USSR relied not on gems, but on beryllium ore deposits. They supplied dozens of large enterprises in the defense industry. The mining of precious stones has practically disappeared. The rock was mercilessly blown up with dynamite, all in order to get to rare tantalum and beryllium.
Despite a significant decrease in turnover in mineral mining, the USSR even then maintained the level of ten percent of world stone production. Ural emeralds were considered one of the best in the world and brought significant income to the country.
The finds in the Malyshevsky mine were amazing. Some stones had such fantastic parameters that the best mineralogical museums in the world would gladly compete for them. Each such gem was processed and given a name.
In 1993, on the basis of the main Ural mine, two autonomous
The initial prospects for their appearance seemed rosy and promising. But the prosperity of an behind-the-scenes organized crime group disrupted the course of the alleged events. The gems were extracted by handicraft methods and sold in the criminal world, providing the authorities with a stable income.
We predict the result. JSC “Emerald Mines of the Urals” did not stay afloat for even three years. The situation of the bankrupt company could not be saved even thanks to a unique find - a gem weighing 1.2 kilograms, which received the name “President”. The stone, discovered in the mine in 1993, was seized due to non-payment of wages to miners.
Today, the largest stone in history is preserved in the Diamond Fund. It was sold for ridiculous money - only 150 thousand dollars, while the real price was tens of times higher.
In 1999, JSC “Emerald Mines of the Urals” together with the Irish. The budget of the new organization included $12 million for reconstruction work with the subsequent placement of shares of the storage facility on the market. In 2008, the company was deprived of its license due to failure to comply with a number of conditions specified in it.
After the government order for the extraction of beryllium concentrate was lifted, several foreign companies took over the spring, but were unable to put it into operation and led to almost complete flooding.
The healing properties of emerald
Emeralds can stabilize blood pressure, relieve pain in the head and joints, and help in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and bladder inflammation.
They are characterized by a pronounced antibacterial effect. Previously, the stone was used to treat night blindness, cataract, and epilepsy. Modern lithotherapy suggests using the gem to eliminate nightmares, insomnia, groundless fears and increased fatigue.
Where and how successfully are emeralds mined in Russia today?
The main Ural deposits of gems are in the northern part near Asbest. At the beginning of the 20th century, these places were studied by the famous geologist A.E. Fersman. The results of his work over time have made it possible to significantly increase the production of minerals since the first development.
Modern deposits are also concentrated near Yekaterinburg. They produce stones of amazing beauty, larger than average in size, and rich green in color. It was there that the largest gem in the last ten years was found, weighing 637 g - the first after the phenomenal find, called “President”.
But Malyshevskoye is still considered the main emerald mining site in Russia. Mining there today is carried out by private companies in the following places:
- Malyshevsky mine.
- Pervomaiskoye field.
- Named after Krupskaya.
- Sverdlov deposit.
On the Mohs scale (mineralogical hardness scale), Ural gems are ahead of world-famous Colombian stones.
TYPES OF DEPOSIT
In the world, most emeralds are mined from rocks.
- Mineral deposits are formed due to the process of greisenization - the transformation of rocks under the influence of various factors.
- Gem deposits are divided into 3 types: pegmatite, hydrothermal, and alluvial.
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Pegmatite emerald deposit
Pegmatite crystals are cloudy and poorly colored. Suitable mainly for making cabochons.
- Pegmatites are vein rocks that form at the final stage of intrusion, or igneous crystallization.
- In miarolitic (mineralized) voids of pegmatites occurring among chromium-bearing rocks, green minerals are sometimes found.
- Such emerald deposits are called pegmatite and are concentrated mainly in Norway and the USA.
Hydrothermal deposits
The highest quality gems are found in pneumatolytic-hydrothermal mines.
- Hydrothermal deposits are located in Russia, Africa, Australia, and Brazil.
- Most of the minerals for the jewelry industry are mined in these countries.
- Local mines consist of hypermafic layers (mica rocks).
- Precious crystals form when hydrothermal solutions enter rocks.
- Solutions are formed by magma, metamorphic water, and liquid in the pores of marine sedimentary rocks.
Placer deposits of emeralds
The highest quality gemstones are found in placer mines.
- The mines are located in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and Australia.
- Of particular interest to jewelers are the alluvial (river) placers of Colombia.
- Placer deposits of emeralds are rare, and few minerals are mined there.
Geothermal features of green mineral mining sites
The first emerald deposits in Russia were discovered by chance, but the expansion of the geography of production took place on the basis of scientific works, taking into account the analysis of the structure of the soil. To form, emerald requires special geothermal conditions, and even these will not guarantee the formation of ideal gems.
In the discovered deposits of the country, the stones are not ideal. There are chips, inclusions and microcracks on the surface. This is fine. Defects can be easily eliminated by cutting. The shape of Ural gems is standard - the stones have the shape of a prism or column with an average length of 5 cm.
All Ural emeralds are genuine. They are not grown in laboratories, but mined in deposits. Among the three known types of deposits:
- pegmatite;
- pnematolitho-hydrothermal;
- emerald placers.
On the territory of Russia there are sources of gems of the second type. Crystals are mined from mica rocks and hyperbasic stones. All stones with granite-pegmatite inclusions with beryllium and chromium, as a result of penetration of gas-forming rocks into the structure, are impeccably clean. Rocks take thousands of years to form.
Stone is mined on an industrial scale in the country. In terms of price, Ural gems are not inferior and even superior to emeralds from other countries of the world. But this does not mean that the acquisition of counterfeits is excluded on the territory of the Russian Federation. The authenticity of an emerald can only be confirmed by appropriate documentation. It must be required before purchasing a stone.
HISTORICAL EXCURSION
Previously, green stones were called “emeralds”.
- The first ancient deposits of emeralds were located on the Arabian Peninsula and in Egypt, where Cleopatra’s mines were mined long before our era.
- The Aswan mines are also famous: mining work took place there during the time of the pharaohs more than 3,000 years ago. Green minerals were mined in mines whose depth reached 200 meters. It was believed that the gem did not tolerate light, so workers worked at night.
- In Colombia in the 16th century. The conquistadors provoked emerald fever. Having invaded the territory where the Indians lived, the Spaniards discovered high-grade emeralds there.
- In the 19th century, Yakov Kovkin discovered Ural emeralds. Later, 15 tons of minerals were mined near Yekaterinburg.
- In Soviet times, all mining was concentrated on beryllium, necessary for industrial use. At the same time, green gems were mined along the way.
What does the price depend on?
Buying an emerald secondhand without documentation is a risk. To partially protect yourself, you need to be able to correctly evaluate a stone. A gemologist can do this. A specialist will distinguish hydrothermal stones from genuine minerals.
The cost of a gem depends on the following important parameters:
- presence of defects;
- colors;
- weight;
- forms;
- cuts.
On average, for an ordinary emerald with classic parameters you need to pay from $500 per carat. Additional payment is made for the work of the jeweler and the metal in which the gem is framed.
Magical properties of emerald
The main task of the emerald is to overcome the bad inclinations of its owner: deceit, a tendency to cheat, and infidelity to loved ones.
If the owner of the stone does not have such inclinations, then the emerald will bring him good health and success. And if the gem doesn’t like a person’s behavior, he can even punish him. Emerald reacts especially poorly to aggression and rudeness. Emeralds dispel negative energy, cleanse a person’s aura and his home from everything negative. They are considered the patrons of the family hearth: they maintain peace and harmony between spouses, and have a positive influence on procreation.
Psychics use emeralds to contact the souls of the dead and understand signals from higher powers.
Budget analogues - what are they?
In Russia, emeralds are mined not only in the Urals. There are references to the so-called “Siberian emerald” and “Yakut emerald”. We are talking about budget analogues, but not about pure emeralds.
Yakut and Siberian green stones are chrome diopsides. They resemble emeralds, but only visually. Stones are in consistently high demand on the jewelry market and could eventually claim leadership positions if not for the difficulties of cutting. Yakut emeralds require delicate handling due to their increased fragility. In addition, even the best specimens are not without defects.
In search of gems
Today, industrial tourism is developing at the Mariinsky mine, and anyone can feel like a prospector and even find an emerald. The standard excursion program consists of two stages. In the demonstration rooms you can see emerald specimens, various beryl druses, phenacite samples and dozens of other minerals. Guests are taught to distinguish natural stones from artificial ones and are shown what minerals look like under a microscope.
The second part of the excursion program includes a trip to the observation deck on board the mine quarry. A mine opening was built there - a drift simulating an underground mine where real equipment was installed. Everyone can feel like a prospector at the beginning of the 20th century: washing ore the old fashioned way and looking for various minerals. All finds will have to be left on the territory of the enterprise, but there is a souvenir shop at the mine, where in the near future it will be possible to purchase products and souvenirs made from precious and ornamental minerals.
Curse of the Emeralds
There are legends about the curse of Ural gems; it is believed that the true owner of a nugget can only be the one who mined it. Although today expensive gems often become a bone of contention and criminals, not believing in their magical power, often take them from their rightful owners, several stories about the curse of the stone have survived to this day.
The discoverer of emerald mines, Maxim Kozhevnikov from smolokur, soon became a mine worker after his discovery, but hard work quickly undermined his health, and after some time he died, contracting tuberculosis.
The second victim of the curse of the Ural gems was Yakov Kokovin, being an expert in gemology, he fell madly in love with green beryls; one large specimen was hidden in his office, which he admired tirelessly. One day, a state councilor came to Kokovin and saw him; he told everyone about the stone, describing its beauty in paint.
Kokovin was ordered to give all his emeralds to the emperor for examination. Lev Petrovsky was ordered to monitor the parcel with precious nuggets, who stole that same magnificent emerald, and told the emperor that it was not in the parcel. Kokovin was placed under arrest and the fact that during a search of his home and office the gem was never found did not bother anyone at that time. Although the master was released from prison early, the years spent in it left a serious mark on his health, and he soon died.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the emerald mine became the subject of infighting among many influential people, who could easily kill each other for the right to own it; deaths happened very often at that time.
Who is it suitable for?
According to professions and spiritual inclinations, the following would be suitable:
- People who implement laws (judges, criminologists).
- For those whose profession involves frequent travel, who spend a lot of time on the road (sailors, conductors, pilots).
- People of intellectual work (teachers, scientists, researchers).
- Artists, writers, musicians.
Zodiac signs ♊
Astrologically, the energy of the gem is consonant with Gemini, Libra, Aquarius .
Venus (the daytime ruler of earth signs), the Moon (their nighttime ruler) controls the energy of the crystal. For Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo , the stone will bring harmony to all areas of life.
For Water signs (their daytime ruler is Venus, the nighttime ruler is the Moon), gems for Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces will be reliable helpers and protectors in life.
Is Emerald right for you?
Not really
Element?
Water
Earth
Air
Planets?
Venus
Mercury
Moon
Energy ☯️
Yin
Main conclusions
- Emerald deposits are concentrated throughout the globe. The richest deposits are concentrated in Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Africa, and India.
- The reference stones are mined in Colombia. Ideal crystals are also found in the Urals, as well as in Zambia. Less valuable specimens are mined in Kazakhstan, France, Canada, Austria, and Norway.
- There is an open pit and a mine method of extracting the mineral. Open mining involves manually extracting crystals from the rock. Mine mining is fully automated, therefore highly productive and safe.
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