Description

Africa’s Gemstone Wealth

While diamonds are the gemstone most commonly associated with Africa, they are far from the only gemstones found in Africa. Africa is the home to several of the most gorgeous gemstones in the world. This region is rich in different minerals with some of the best quality gemstones being mined here.

White Gold Custom-Made Rainbow Pendant set with Garnet, Topaz, Peridot, Amethyst, Citrine and Diamonds

The colored gemstone business is becoming increasingly important, even though colored gem production is spread across small mines in more than half a dozen countries. The main gemstone producing countries are in Southern and Eastern Africa, stretching from Namibia in the southwest through Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania, to Kenya in Eastern Africa. Madagascar, the large island off the coast of Mozambique, is part of this same mineral-rich area, known as the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt.

Madagascar is famous for recent discoveries of ruby and sapphire, though a number of other gemstones have also been found, including tourmaline, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, andalusite, apatite, citrine, iolite and kyanite.

Tanzanite is exclusively found in Tanzania, this gemstone was named for its country of origin by the luxury jewelry company “Tiffany & Co.” and then introduced this gem to the world in 1968.  Not only is Tanzania famous for tanzanite, but also produces very fine Tanzanian spinel in large sizes, marvelous rhodolite, tsavorite, garnet and some uniquely colored unheated zircon.

Topaz is a stunning gemstone that offers a lot of hardness, which is why it is a popular choice for jewelry. These gemstones are most commonly found in Nigeria, though varieties can also be found in Namibia and Zimbabwe. There are different colors of topaz, but the varieties from Africa are typically yellow, golden brown, and varying shades of blue.

Mozambique is not only producing excellent tourmaline in a wide range of colors,  but also fine spessartite and red garnets. Namibie is rich in quarts such as amethyst whilst emeralds of outstanding quality have been mined in Zambia.

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