Emerald for Gemstones

Emerald is less common than diamond and much more expensive than gold. The total production per year in the world is estimated at around 15 million carat (1 carat = 0.2 g). Colombia produces 60% of the emeralds in the world, Zambia 15%, Brazil 10% and Russia 5%. Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Afghanistan together account 

In Columbia the Muzo mine, 100 km north-west of the capital Bogota was mined by the Incas, was forgotten, but was rediscovered in the 17 century, and mining is still going on. In Colombia there is also an eastern emerald belt Colombian emeralds 

Commercial production of berylHum metal began in 1957 but the market for it has not grown to the size once imagined. Today the US mainly supplies processed beryllium products. Treatment of bertrandite with hot sulfuric add gives a solution containing beryUium sulfate and other metals. Separation occurs by liquid-liquid extraction and ion exchange. After separation, beryllium carbonate is precipitated and can be transformed into different salts and to the oxide. The metal is prepared by reduction of beryUium fluoride with magnesium or by electrolysis of fused beryllium chloride. 

Beryl is only slightly soluble in sulfuric acid. After melting the mineral (melting point 1650°C) and quenching in water the solubility in sulfuric add is increased. An alternative is to start with an alkali treatment, melting or sintering in sodium hydroxide or carbonate. 

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