Formation Study of Gem Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 88

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: mineralogy; petrology; ore deposits; U-Pb geochronology gemmology; microstructures
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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science & Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
Interests: gemmology; mineralogy; petrology; ore deposits

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gem deposits, as unique non-metallic mineral resources, are subject to specific geological constraints due to the particular demand regarding the initial size and structure of ore extraction. Every gem deposit possesses distinct characteristics, resulting in a unique imprint on the gem during its formation, including variations in chemical composition, structure/microstructure, and mineral components, inclusions, etc. Research on the genesis of gem deposits is crucial for comprehending the factors contributing to the formation of high-quality gems and the distinctive attributes of gem deposits across various locations. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest and most comprehensive advancements in gem deposits pertaining to mineralogy, petrology, and gemology. Interdisciplinary research in fields such as geology, field gemology, geochemistry, geochronology, and spectroscopy can offer vital insights into gem deposit formation, facilitating global comparisons and geographic gemstone identification.

The Special Issue welcomes original scientific research submissions related to gem deposits from established and emerging locations globally. The Special Issue focuses on the following topics:

  • Geological background, occurrence, genesis, and genetic models of gem deposits;
  • The mineralogical, gemological, geochemical, and spectroscopic characteristics of natural gems, as well as the mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological features of the associated wall/country rocks;
  • Applications of integrated studies tracing gem provenance and elucidating gemstone identification methods.

Prof. Dr. Guanghai Shi
Dr. Tianlong Jiang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • geological occurrences
  • chemical composition
  • mineral components
  • geographic features/origin
  • gem characterization
  • genesis of gems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 2944 KiB  
Article
Gemological Characteristics and Coloration Mechanism of Vanadium-Bearing Beryl from Nigeria
by Yunlong Hong, Yu Zhang, Xinyi Shao, Yanyi Mu and Yuemiao Yu
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060557 - 23 May 2025
Abstract
Vanadium-bearing beryl is a vanadium-bearing variety of green beryl (distinct from emerald) that exhibits an “electro-optical” green (blue-green) color, which has led to its commercial popularity. However, the underlying coloration mechanism remains unclear. The present study adopted standard gemological tests and non-destructive spectroscopic [...] Read more.
Vanadium-bearing beryl is a vanadium-bearing variety of green beryl (distinct from emerald) that exhibits an “electro-optical” green (blue-green) color, which has led to its commercial popularity. However, the underlying coloration mechanism remains unclear. The present study adopted standard gemological tests and non-destructive spectroscopic tests, such as X-ray fluorescence, UV-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR), infrared and Raman spectroscopy, to analyze the vanadium-bearing beryl from Nigeria. The results of these tests indicated the presence of Fe as the predominant chromogenic element of vanadium-bearing beryl, followed by V, at a level exceeding that of Cr. Furthermore, the samples displayed lower levels of alkali and magnesium when compared to other beryls, accompanied by lower refractive indices and specific gravities. Spectroscopic analysis indicates that the structural channels are dominated by type I H2O, with CO2, HDO, and D2O molecules also present. The inclusions observed in vanadium-bearing beryl bear a resemblance to those found in typical aquamarines, which are raindrop-shaped inclusions, and to those found in emeralds of various origins, which are irregular, jagged, gas–liquid two-phase/three-phase inclusions. The broad UV-Vis-NIR absorption bands at 427 and 610 nm are characteristic of V3+ (and a minor amount of Cr3+). Charge transfer between Fe2+ and Fe3+ may also contribute to the 610 nm band, which is superimposed on the absorption bands of V3+ and Cr3+. These factors primarily contribute to the blue-green coloration of beryl. The absorption induced by V3+ in the visible violet-blue region exhibits stronger intensity and a greater tendency towards the blue region compared to Cr3+. Consequently, the resultant vanadium-bearing beryl acquires the yellow-green hue (induced by V) overlaid with the light blue (induced by charge transfer between Fe2+-Fe3+ pairs), resulting in the so-called “electro-optical” green (blue-green) beryl. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation Study of Gem Deposits)
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