The African continent is famous for its diverse cultures, ethnicity, religious population. They are well famous for their huge natural mineral reserves which have been the main economic backbone for its various countries.
Apart from the well-known reserves of gold, copper, and diamonds, Africa is also a major source for precious and semi-precious gemstones. These valuable minerals are available across the continent in various mines, each mine specializing in a particular type of precious gemstone.
This gemstone are mainly available in the eastern and southern regions of the African continent. Some of the best quality gemstones are in this region.
Though there are many types of gemstones available in Africa, in this article we will discuss the top 5 gemstones.
The primary regions where gemstones are found in Africa include:
- Southern Africa: Known for diamonds, South Africa and Botswana hold some of the world’s most valuable diamond deposits.
- East Africa: Countries like Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar are rich in gemstones like tanzanite, sapphires, and rubies.
- West Africa: Nigeria and Sierra Leone are notable for their deposits of tourmaline, aquamarine, and sapphires.
- Central Africa: The Democratic Republic of Congo is well-known for diamonds and other gemstones.
TOPAZ
This is an extremely stunning gemstone found in yellow, golden brown, and different shades of blue color. In fact, the Blue Topaz is quite a popular gemstone as it is relates with the December month and two zodiac signs, Sagittarius and Capricorn.
Topaz belongs to the silicate mineral class of aluminum and fluorine. It is physically seen as a prism type of mineral with pyramidical structural features. One of the hardest naturally occurring gemstones in the world, expensive jewelry is mostly design from it due to its hardness and clarity.
Topaz gemstone is found in golden brown and yellow color in its natural form but turns into blue color due to heat treatment. It is commonly found in Nigeria followed by Zimbabwe and Namibia and is quite expensive at $300 per carat.
RUBY
Ruby is a quite popular gemstone across the world. Though it is available in many countries, the African rubies are in great demand. Africa is the famous for ruby gemstones.The best quality ruby gemstone used to come from Myanmar but due to trade restrictions, the red color rubies from Mozambique is quite in demand. Apart from Mozambique, it is also available in Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya.
This gemstone is famous for its blood red color and it is a precious stone owing to its quality and high price. African rubies can be opaque, translucent or transparent. It costs anywhere between $100 To $15000 depending on its color, clarity, and origin. The more transparent it is, the higher the price of this gemstone.
GARNET HESSONITE
Garnet is the birthstone for January and though it has a Latin background because of its red color of a pomegranate, the one of the best quality is garnet available in Tanzania.
The garnet gemstone has been a popular gem throughout history and worn as beads in a necklace. This gemstone belongs to the silicate minerals and its highly use in jewelry due to its hardness and durability. The Mozambique variety of garnet is also quite popular.
Mozambique garnet is slightly more red and darker. This is an expensive gemstone and a carat of Rhodonite Garnet costs around $100.
ZIRCON
It is one of the oldest gemstones and belonging to the silicate variety. Zircon stones are traditionally blue in color, being a December birthstone. However other colors from colorless to yellow golden, red, brown, blue and green are also available. Most Zircons comes in small sizes though large ones are also available but rare.
This stone is mainly available on the Limpopo belt in South Africa. A well saturated blue Zircon crystal goes for $400 per carat. It is also available in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
TANZANITE
This gemstone is famous for its stunning and exclusive features. The blue and violet gemstone is exclusively available in northern Tanzania. Being a rare and expensive stone, starting from $300 it goes up to $750 per carat, the price and value changes depending on the cut, weight, and clarity.
Tanzanite stone was discovered as recently as in 1967 in Tanzania and it is the only place where it can be found. Thus, it is an extremely rare and expensive stone and is usually deep purple-blue in color. The expensive quality has traces of red in the blue color while the lighter shades of blue are less expensive.
This stone have both physical and mental soothing and calming properties. It is use for enhance interpersonal qualities and also resolve communication issues.
The major markets for Tanzanite gemstone today are found in India, USA, and Israel.
Diamonds
Africa is synonymous with diamonds. The continent has been one of the leading sources of diamonds since their discovery in South Africa in 1867. The famous Kimberley mine, located in South Africa, has historically been one of the most productive diamond mines globally.
Emeralds
Though Colombia is most famous for emeralds, African countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe also produce high-quality emeralds. African emeralds are prized for their deep green color, and Zambia, in particular, has become a significant player in the emerald market.
Sapphires
Sapphires are found in several African countries, with Madagascar being one of the largest producers of blue sapphires in the world. These stones come in various colors, including blue, pink, yellow, and green.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a highly diverse gemstone, coming in a variety of colors. African tourmaline is especially known for its vivid colors and clarity. Some of the finest tourmalines in the world come from Nigeria, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a blue or cyan variety of the mineral beryl and is often associated with serene, calming energy. Africa produces high-quality aquamarine, especially from Nigeria and Madagascar.
Africa remains at the heart of the global gemstone market, with its rich deposits of precious stones continuing to captivate collectors, jewelers, and investors. As technology and ethical practices evolve, African gemstones are becoming more accessible to global consumers, driving demand for these extraordinary treasures
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