GEMSTONES OF ZAMBIA.

Mila Kunis wearing jewellery made of the Zambian Emerald

When it comes to mining, Zambia is best known for its copper which contributes to a larger percentage of its economy. Actually Zambia is ranked at number seven of the largest copper producers in the world. It generates 3.3% of the copper to the western world and it is also known for being the second producer of cobalt in the world. She comes in as the second largest producer of cobalt in the world at 19.7%. Apart from this, there has been significant quantities of selenium, silver, platinum and some gold. There is also some precious gemstones that have found themselves on the market and highly contributing to the economy of the country and they are being appreciated by the western world markets.

                    GEMSTONES

There are quite a number of precious stones that are found in Zambia.

AMETHYST- This is purple in colour. It belongs to macro crystalline branch of quartz and it is the most popular and the most valuable stone. About 700 tonnes of Amethyst is produced annually in Zambia. These precious stones  are found in Mapatizy area in Mwakambiko Hills and Mumbwa-Namwala areas of Zambia.        

AQUAMARINE- This is blue or sometimes it may look blue-green---aqua. This stone is famous for its beautiful and breathtaking sea-blue colours. The name Aquamarine was derived from an old Latin expression meaning "Seawater". These are found in Lundazi, Mukushi and Itezhi-tezhi of Zambia

EMERALD- This is green in colour. The name actually comes from the old French word "Esmeralda" which was taken from a Greek word "smaragdos" which means "green stone" The Zambian Emeralds are the most favourite in the world because of its bluish green colour which is similar to that of Colombia's "emerald-green". These are found in Miku-Kafubu area.

                                         

TOURMALINE- This actually means "mixed", it comes from sinhalese word "turmali". They come in different mixed colours hence the name. These are found in the Eastern part of Zambia, Lundazi.

GARNET- Garnet is not a single mineral but a group of several related minerals. The most common garnets in Zambia are the red ones (mixture of pyrope and almandine), Rhodolite (pale of violet type of pyrope) and Spessartite (orange to red-brown variate). They are found in Lundazi, Eastern Zambia.

Other gemstones found in Zambia include Beryl, Topaz, Opal, Agates and Citrine.

                                                                                   

Citrine

Agates

Blue Topaz

Opal