Detailed information
Species
Beryl, var. Emerald
Dimensions
29 x 26 x 17
mm
Locality
Dayakou Emerald Mine, Malipo County Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture Yunnan Province, China
Condition
No recorded repairs
China is not renowned for significant gem deposits, but the Dayakou Emerald mine situated quite near to the border with Vietnam in Malipo County, Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China has produced some interesting Beryl var. Emerald crystals. Discovered in the earliest years of the 21st century, the flow of specimens has been variable. This very large thumbnail to very small miniature matrix specimen features a very dark emerald green crystal - something for which the locality is not renowned. Hexagonal and prismatic in form, its termination is quite ragged, possibly naturally etched, with its lower section fractured at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, in line with the edge of the matrix. It measures at least 1.7 cm in length and is not gemmy, but is intensely coloured, unlike most from Dayakou Emerald mine which tend to quite pale green. There are some internal fractures, including one infilled with Quartz or carbonate, but the crystal is quite stable and is great example of a Chinese Emerald crystal.