WorldWide Drilling Resource

39 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2018 Emerald is the green to emerald-green variety of Beryl. The light green form of beryl is not recog- nized as emerald, but rather green beryl. The deep color of an emerald is caused by traces of the element chromium, but sometimes also vanadium. This intense green color has led to it being valued as an important gemstone throughout the centuries. Despite the conditions which form emerald being very unlikely, the mineral has been found in a diversity of rock types. In Colombia, the country which has supplied most of the world’s emeralds, the mineral is often found in black organic shale and limestone ores. Very few emeralds have been mined in the U.S. Since the late 1800s, North Carolina has been a sporadic producer of emeralds. The Crabtree Emerald Mine was once operated by Tiffany and Company. Many fine clear emeralds were produced, and tons of emerald-bearing pegmatite were sold as "emerald matrix" for slabbing and cabochon (a gem which is highly polished but not faceted) cutting. NorthAmerican Emerald Mines operates a small mine in North Carolina. Between 1995 and 2010, over 20,000 carats of emeralds were produced, including a six-inch-long, 1869-carat crystal. The emerald is now in theHoustonMuseumof Natural Science and valued at $3.5million. On the same property the prized emerald was found, workers at a crushed stone quarry watch for signs of the hydrothermal veins and pockets which sometimes contain emerald. Epsomite is a common sulfate mineral. The mineral was discovered in Epsom, Surrey, England, in 1695. Its deposits are formed by evaporation of mineral waters. It is also found as crusts and efflorescences in coal or metal mines, in limestone caves, and in the oxidized zones of sulfide ore deposits. Epsomite has a number of household and gardening-related uses. It is also used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products, for the production of paper and sugar, and as dying material. The purified compound is used in medicine as epsom salt. Epsom salt is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound. Long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, epsom salt has numerous health benefits. The magnesium in the mineral aids the body in regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflam- mation, helping muscle and nerve function, and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins, and help ease migraine headaches. The World of Minerals MIN Courtesy of W. Tucker.