Precious and Decorative Stones

2025: No. 3–4 (121–122) CONTENTS

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53036/2025-3-4(121-122)-1

Review of emerald from afghanistan deposits

V. Usenko
Mechnikov National University

Language: Ukrainian

Precious and Decorative Stones. No. 3–4 (121–122), 2025: 4–18

Abstract
Interest in Afghan emeralds in the international market of colored gemstones is growing due to their quality characteristics comparable to Colombian emeralds of the highest categories. The article presents an overview of the geology of Afghan emerald deposits of Panjshir and Laghman, describes the features of the organization and conduct of mining operations and the local emerald market, which have their own specifics affecting the volumes and quality of mined raw materials. Based on published sources of information on Afghan emeralds, as well as our own observations directly in the local emerald market, a description is given of various quality classes and morphological varieties of gemquality emerald crystals that are of the greatest value for cutting. Emeralds of the highest quality are mined in the mines of the Panjshir Valley. The heterogeneity of the processes of emerald formation determines the different quality of raw materials from different mines of Panjshir. Miners, traders and gemologists note that Laghman emeralds differ from Panjshir emeralds. In the international market and in gemological databases of colored gemstones from deposits around the world, all Afghan emeralds of gem quality are classified as "classic Afghan emeralds", and their geochemical profile is oriented towards the chemistry of Panjshir emeralds. As a result of studying the available material, highquality varieties of gemgrade emerald crystals were identified that best characterize the brand "classic Afghan emeralds". The results of the research confirm the conclusions of many experts about the high potential of Afghan emerald, especially with the correct organization of its extraction. The presented results may be of interest to anyone interested in Afghan emeralds and planning their business in the gemstone market.

Keywords: emerald, Afghan emerald, Panjshir emerald, hemological characteristics of Afghan emerald.

References

Aurisicchio, C., Conte, a., M., Medeghini, L., Ottolini, L., & De Vito, C. (2018). Major and trace element geochemistry of emerald from several deposits: implications for genetic models and classification schemes. Ore Geology Reviews, 94(3), 351–366. Bowersox, G., Lawrence, W. S., Foord, e. e., & Seal ii, R. R. (1991). emeralds of the Panjshir Valley, afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Spring, 27(1), 26–39.

DeWitt, J. D., Chirico, P. G., O’Pry, K. e., & Bergstresser, S. e. (2022). Mapping the extent and methods of small-scale emerald mining in the Panjshir Valley, afghanistan. Geocarto International, 37(1). Doi:10.1080/10106049.2020.1716394

Di, C., Zongting, Liao, L. Q., Qian, Z., & Zhengyu, Z. (2020). a Study of emeralds from Davdar, North-Western China. The Journal of Gemmology, 37(4), 374–392.

Dong X., Chen, T., & Zhou, Z. (2023). Gemmological and Spectral Characteristics of emerald from Panjsher Valley, afghanistan. Gems & Gemmology, 25(6), 17–29.

Emeralds Auctioned in Panjshir. (2024, March 15). Roskin Gem News Report. https://roskingemnewsreport.com/emeralds-auctioned-in-panjshir/

Giuliani, G., Dubessy, J., Ohnenstetter, D., Banks, D., Branquet, Y., Feneyrol, J., Fallick, a. e., & Martelat, J.-e. (2018). The role of evaporites in the formation of gems during metamorphism of carbonate platforms: a review. Miner. Deposita, 53, 1–20.

Giuliani, G., Lee, a. G., Marshall, D., Fallick, a. e., & Branquet, Y. (2019). emerald Deposits: a Review and enhanced Classification. Minerals, 9(2), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9020105

Gorziwani, M. H., & Rasouli, H. (2025). Geology and Origins of the Panjsher Valley emerald Deposits of afghanistan. Advances in Oceanography & Marine Biol. 4(3). doi: 10.33552/aOMB.2025.04.000588

Graham, J. R. (2021). Buying Gemstones in Afghanistan: A Beginner’s Guide. iGS. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/just-ask-jeff-buying-gemstones in-afghanistan/

Groat, А., Giuliani, G., Marshall, D. D., & Turner, D. (2008). emerald deposits and occurrences: a review. Ore Geology Reviews. 34(1–2), September, 87–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2007.09.003

Hanser, C. S., Häger, T., Botcharnikov, R., & Gul, B. (2022). emerald from the Chitral region, Pakistan: a new deposit. Journal of Gemmology, 38(3), 234–252.

Hanser, S. C., Stephan T., Gul, B., Häger, T., & Botcharnikov, R. (2023). Comparison of emeralds from the Chitral District, Pakistan, with other Pakistani and afghan emeralds. The Journal of Gemmology, 38(6), 582–599.

Henn, U., & Schmitz, F. (2014). Smaragde aus der Provinz Laghman, afghanistan: ein Vergleich mit Smaragden aus dem Panjshir-Tal. Gemmologie: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmologischen Gesellschaft, 63, Jan 01, 101–106.

Karampelas, S., al-Shaybani B., & Mohamed, F. Supharart Sangsawong and abeer al-alawi. (2019). Emeralds from the Most important Occurrences: Chemical and Spectroscopic Data. Minerals, 9, 561. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9090561

Krzemnicki, S. M., Hao, a. O., & Büche, S. (2021). a New Type of emerald from afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley. The Journal of Gemmology, 37(5), 338–352.

Krzemnicki, S. M., Hao, a. O., Wang, Wälle, M., Lefévre, P., Zhou., W., & Cartier, L. e. (2024). Gemmological Characterisation of emeralds from Musakashi, Zambia, and implications for Their Geographic Origin Determination. The Journal of Gemmology, 39(4), 338–350.

Laurs, B. L. (2001). Gem News international: emeralds from Laghman, afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, 37(1), 68.

Lucas, an., & Hsu, T. (2017). emerald dealing in afghanistan. Gem & Gemology, 53(1), 127–128.

Moroz, i., Roth, M., Boudeulle, M., & Panczer, G. (2000). Raman microspectroscopy and fluorescence of emeralds from various deposits. J. Raman Spectrosc, 31, 485–490.

Quanli, C., Peijin, B., Yan L., Shen, a. H., Ran, G., Yulin, B., Xue, G., & Xianyu, L. (2023). A Research of emeralds from Panjshir Valley, afghanistan. Minerals, 13(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/min13010063

Popal, S. a., & Gurudutta, J. (2023). afghanistan’s Gemstones and Jewellery: Sector and its Prospects. A Global Journal of interdisciplinay studies VI(II): 33, april. https://doi.org/10.47968/GaPiN.620005

Samarin, Y. S., & akkermantsev, C. M. (1977). Report on the results of search-exploration studies at the emerald deposit of Panjshir in years of 1975–1976. Unpublished report to the Afghan Ministry of Mining and Industries, Technoexport, USSR, Contract No. 55-184/17500, 166 p.

Snee, L. W., Foord, e. e., Hill, B., & Carter, S. J. (2020). Regional Chemical Differences among emeralds and Host Rocks of Pakistan and afghanistan: implications for the Origin of emerald, april. in book: Emeralds of Pakistan: Geology, Gemology, and Genesis, (2013), (93–123). Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340446838_Chapter_5/

Saeseaw, S., Renfro, N. D., Palke, a. C., Sun, Z., & McClure, S. F. (2019). Geographic Origin Determination of emerald. Gems & Gemology, 55(4), 614–646.

Vapnik, Y., & Moroz, i. (2001). Fluid inclusions in Panjshir emerald (afghanistan). In Proceedings of the 16th European Current Research on Fluid Inclusions, 17–20 July, 451–454.