Beyond the Diamond: Other Gemstones of Africa

Violence in Africa over diamonds has been the subject of many headlines around the world. Yet, this illustrious but controversial stone is not the only gem produced on the continent. The following article explores other African gemstones that jewelers and gem lovers will want to consider for their next purchase of jewels.

In recent news Africa's diamond trade has made headlines and the world has lamented the violence associated with garnering these kings of the gemstone world. But Africa has more to offer gem enthusiasts than diamonds. The great continent also produces a myriad of other exciting gems that gemologists, jewelers, and gemstone fans should know about.

Hailing from South Africa as well as elsewhere in the world, fluorite necklace offers gem lovers a wide array of colors to consider. While not nearly as hard as a diamond (it scores a mere 4 on the hardness scale), it is considered a most interesting stone nonetheless. In ancient times, the Egyptians favored fluorite for use as scarabs and even to adorn statues. The Chinese have employed fluorite for their carvings for roughly the past three hundred years. Jewelers do facet these stones and polish them brightly where they are shown most advantageously and are prized by collectors.

Along with Brazil and Canada, Kenya produces some fine examples of scapolite. Often confused with chrysoberyl or amblygonite, scapolite comes in a range of colors that include blue, purple, pink, gray, and yellow. The pink and purple stones sometimes depict a cat's eye effect.

Iolite is a fascinating stone that comes from Namibia and Tanzania. Known also as cordierite, this stone has been called water sapphire because of its similarity to deep blue sapphires. In fact, its intense violet­blue makes it popular as a sapphire alternative since it tends to be more affordable.

Tanzanite is a member of the zoisite family of stones. As expected, tanzanite hails from Tanzania, but can also be found in Kenya where stones exhibit a beautiful shade of purplish­blue. Tanzanite is frequently confused with sapphires because of its similarity of color, but tanzanite only scores a 6.5 on the hardness scale. Although tanzanite mining and trade has not made the headlines to the extent that diamonds have in Africa, the stone has had issues over the last decade. Tanzanite trade was banned in India.

Zaire produces the world's largest supply of malachite, an opaque green and most attractive stone. While crystals are too tiny to facet, stones are polished and formed into cabochons. Green bands alternate with lighter green shades.