Written by Carolyn Doyle for customers of
The Dorado Company
and other visitors to the azgem.com website who subscribe.

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Usable Gems... and a little opinion.

Gem Origins - Nigeria

Gem origins - Nigeria, it's a common statement in the gem stone world.

Nigeria is the most important producer of gem rough in West Africa. Located south of the Great Sahara Desert, Nigeria extends to the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean just north of the equator.

Nigeria and this part of Africa present a strong argument for the Theory of Continental Drift. The shape and geology of Africa in this region match up well with South America and Brazil.

South America (Brazil) projects and Africa indents. The two continents fit together nicely.

Nigeria and Brazil produce similar gem stones from similar geology. It's as though the two were once one.

Nigeria yields several types of beryl, including some very fine aquamarine, yellow beryl, green beryl, and some commercial quality emerald.

In addition, Nigeria produces a variety of other gems:

• Amethyst
• Spessartite Garnet
• Malaya Garnet
• Rhodolite Garnet
• Red, Pink, Blue, Teal, Green, Bi-colored and Yellow Tourmaline
• Blue Sapphire
• Yellow, Blue and Colorless Topaz
• Fluorite
• Iolite
• Quartz
• Zircon

Nigeria's red and pink tourmaline are probably the world's finest. The spessartite and malaya garnet are also world class.

Nigeria and Brazil are also the only known sources of tourmaline containing the element Copper.

Some of Nigeria's West African neighbor such as Cameroon and Niger also produce some commercial quantities of colored gems.

However, Nigeria is the gem superpower of West Africa.

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Industry News

The gem and jewelry industry is gearing up for a major trade show period in Las Vegas.

The "Vegas Shows" as industry people are beginning to refer to them, are coming in early June.

Colored Stone Magazine's show guide has the latest information... http://www.vegas-show-guide.com/vegas/shows/index.cfm 

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Jewelry Dealers

Are you making up new pieces of jewelry to rebuild and upgrade your inventory depleted by holiday sales? Now is a good time to work at this fun and vital task.

We've recently received some new emerald, morganite, sapphire, peridot, and chrome diopside from our cutters.

As usual, all these gems are in sizes appropriate for center stones in  rings  and pendants.

Send me an email for information on gems that interest you.

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Jewelry Dealers Program

Do you enjoy jewelry and gems?

Do you enjoy talking with friends and co-workers?

Take a look at our great Jewelry Dealers Program.

Carolyn Doyle

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