Ancient emerald mines (2000 B.C. - 1200 A.D.). Rediscovered 1818. Egypt was the source of almost all emerald in ancient times. Found in pegmatitic quartz veins traversing mica and talc schists. Thousands of open pits and underground workings.
References:- Speranza Cavenago-Bignami Moneta, (1980): Gemmologia : pietre preziose, ornamentali, perle, coralli, avorio, tartaruga, sintesi, imitazioni. Quarta edizione riveduta, aggiornata ed aumentata. Hoepli, 1734 pp. (in Italian)
- Groat, L.A., Giuliani, G., Marshall, D.D., and Turner, D. (2008): Emerald deposits and occurrences: A review. Ore Geology Reviews 34, 87-112.
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http://www.geocities.com/unforbidden_geology/beryl.html 12 entries listed. 5 valid minerals.
