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How to Dig for Emeralds

The emerald is a treasured gemstone that is actually colorless beryl. Through natural erosion, it crystallizes with chromium and forms a brilliant green color. Found all over the world, some of the largest emeralds are from Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Russia and even in the United States in Hiddenite, North Carolina. It is unusual to find a perfect emerald because of flaws and tiny fissures. A rare perfect emerald can be more valuable then a diamond. The emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and is considered to be a healing stone.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
Pick
Bucket
River or sluiceway
Creek screen
Clean towel
Container with tight lid
Appraisal

Instructions

Digging For Emeralds
- 1
  
  To locate the rare green gemstone, search in high terrain, rivers, caves and on the surface of the ground. Try looking for an area of brown or red dirt that has a random spot of yellow or black crumbly dirt. This could be a sign of pegmatite dikes and mica schist pockets and is the environment that produces emeralds. Use a shovel and pick to loosen the material and then fill the bucket. Pour material through a sluiceway screen found at mines open to the public. Clean water is pumped through the screen to remove the dirt, leaving behind possible minerals and gemstones. Search for the sparkling green stones.
- 2
  
  Through natural erosion, gemstones wash down from the mountain and lay on the bottom of the riverbed. Using a shovel or 2-inch pie pan, scoop material from the riverbed. Pour the material through a creek screen (wooden frame with screen in middle) and shake the screen back and forth, separating the dirt from the sparkling stones.
- 3
  
  Polish all gemstones with a clean towel and put them into safe container. Make an appointment with a lapidary service to have the stones cut, appraised and set into a piece of jewelry.

Rocks & Minerals