Emeralds Of Pakistan

By Ali H Kazmi and L W Snee
Geological Survey of Pakistan
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
1989 ISBN 0-442-30328-9

Van Nostrand Reinhold Company writes:

Emerald has been known to mankind since prehistoric times and yet is one of the rarest of gemstones—found only in a few locations. The uniqueness of emerald is a result of the unusual combination of two chemical elements, beryllium and chromium, that normally are not associated in nature. This special combination is controlled by fascinating geological processes that brought rocks of very different character together under conditions that permitted the formation of these beautiful green gems. Thus, emerald is not only fascinating to the gemologist and mineral collector because of its exceptional beauty but also to the geologist because of the geological process it represents.

Emeralds of Pakistan—geology, gemology, and genesis examines emeralds of Pakistan from three viewpoints—geologic, occurrence, physical and chemical characteristics of the gems, and origin. With scores of figures, including 81 color plates, the book describes and illustrates emeralds of Pakistan and summarizes the geologic occurrence of other worldwide emerald deposits.

Nine chapters and a selected bibliography summarize nearly ten years of research by 12 scientists. Emeralds of Pakistan—geology, gemology, and genesis covers such topics as:

- geology and tectonics of Pakistan
- geologic setting of Pakistan emeralds
- gemological characteristics of Pakistani emeralds
- comprehensive data on inclusions within the emeralds
- chemistry of the emeralds and their host rocks
- microprobe analyses of the emeralds
- geology of world emerald deposits
- origin of emeralds
- selected bibliography

This is the first book of its kind on the geology of emerald deposits of one area in the world. However, the book also presents the best current summary of all world emerald deposits and develops a new classification system for emerald deposits.