Gem: Vanadium beryl / emerald
Weight: 17.64 ctw
Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 mm to 18.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 mm.
Clarity: Mix of SI and VS as rough, but most will cut VS gems.
Origin: Nasarawa, Nigeria
Treatments: None
Comments:
I am excited to be able to offer some good quality Nigerian emerald facet rough!
Nigerian emeralds are generally much cleaner and much lighter in color than other emeralds. Nigerian emeralds are special in that their green color comes from concentrations of vanadium within the crystal. Most other emeralds worldwide depend on chromium or iron in addition to vanadium to create the color.
Thus, vanadium beryl is chemically considered an emerald, but can be referred to as vanadium beryl, or vanadium emerald, or even just aquamarine or common green beryl.
This lot features four chunky blocks of beryl, and one long piece. The four chunks are actually all pieces of the same crystal! you can line up the pieces by the V groove that runs along the length of each piece.
There are two deeply colored pieces, which are the largest, then there are two smaller, lighter colored pieces, and the long skinny one.
The two large, richly colored pieces will require some grinding to remove some flaws near the edge, and a couple of veils that reach inwards. These have been checked carefully, and a nice, clean gem is possible from them both.
Of the two smaller chunks, one is clean, and one will have inclusions in the final gem.
The long piece has a flaw right in the middle , and another towards one end, so the crystal will yield a large gem over 1 ct, a medium gem around 3/4 ct., and a smaller melee piece that should probably cut a 1/3 ct. gem.
This is RARE rough, and doesn't come up very often. Enjoy!