cutting.
Sir Bhagchand Soni on the advice of Mr. Crook-shank took up a mining
lease for emeralds in Kaliguman area, where the emeralds were found.
The venture was crowned with success and a very large number of emerald
crystals varying in size from 
inch to 4 inches in length, with diameters up to 
inches were extracted. The Mewar Government took over the crystals for
safe keeping pending their ultimate sale by auction. Some months after
the work was started, half the crystals fetched about Rs.2,69,000.
The
mine is situated at Kaliguman, a small village between Amet and the
famous old fortress of Kumalgarh, some 13 miles from the station. The
mine is well guarded and visitors are not usually allowed within the
precincts.
The
mine is located within bands of biotite rock intercalated in the
normal hornblende-schist. It is about 100 yds. long and 60 feet deep.
The emeralds occur through the biotite much like garnet or andalusite
in similar rocks. The origin is considered to be due to a pegmatite
intrusion.
Seth
Banjilal Thulia, an emerald merchant at Jaipur, cut the Kaliguman
beryls and showed that their colour was exquisite, water perfect; but
expert jewellers say that they are not so clear as the Potosi emeralds.
The price is said to be about Rs.2,000 a carat. But a majority of the
stones have been found to be defective.
Ceylon.—Aquamarine and other gem-stones occur in the gem-gravels of Ceylon in alluvial deposits and also in a matrix of pegmatite.
Burma.—In Mogok stone tract, beryl has been found in the byon or the gem-gravels and in the once famous Sakangyi dyke—now no longer working.
Industry
The
emerald takes its rank with the ruby as one of the most valuable
gem-stones. Flawless emeralds are extremely rare and command very high
prices.' A good
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