Swat emeralds come from Swat Valley, located in Pakistan..
Also known as Zamurd emeralds, they’re praised by many because of the color, transparency, and the natural formation of hexagonal crystals.
In fact, one of the most important Swat emerald mines out there, the Fizgat mine, is estimated to have over 70 million carats of these deposits alone.
The Fizgart mines located in swat valley give some of the most impactful emeralds, and this has been used for thousands of years.
Currently, the Mingora mind is the only active one, and is the one operating and mining these emeralds.
Geological Origins and Meaning of Swat Emeralds
While there are other popular areas for emerald mining, such as in Colombia, Pakistani emeralds are known for unique characteristics, especially with how extensive the area is.
Swat is the largest of these deposits, with the emerald mining within the Swat valley extending all the way to the northern Himalayas.
With over 2 millennia of being mined in swat valley, these stones were found even in Ancient Rome, along with present-day France.
These emeralds are considered treasures in India, and some of the most popular emeralds came from here.
While swat emeralds were known to ancient Romans, the outside world forgot about these for many years, until they found them in 1958.
The Swat emerald corporation operated these mines from 1979 until 1995, when it was passed to the local government.
The mines were initially privatized and were first seen in modern times at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show back in 1986. Goblin first described these gems as emeralds, highlighting the commercial value.
Why were these deposits so unique? Well, it’s because of the area. It’s right at the Indus zone mélange, and this of course, created unique rocks known as ophiolitic mélange. They were lens-shaped in various sizes, and were along the main mantle, especially along Mingora and the other mines.
Many of these deposits too were exposed to carbonate and magnesium along with talc ultramafic rocks, which had high amounts of magnesium tourmaline, and were made during the Cenozoic era. They existed especially in magnesite rocks, such as talc and dolomite.
It was also suggested that the carbonite rocks also may have played a part in this.
Furthermore, the Mingora mine had unique emerald crystals, including a matrix of dolomite, along with magnesite, grayish black graphic, talc, and pyrite, which suggests for many that these were in contact with these ultramafic rocks too.
The emeralds were mined with traditional techniques, with 30 tunnels in the Mingora mine alone, which dug downwards in a direction and were about a kilometer long. Hydraulic jackhammers along with handpicks would work along the quartz vein.
Distinct characteristics of Swat Emeralds
Swath emeralds are like others, being a variety of the beryl mineral, and a green color. They also are like other faceted emeralds, sitting around a 7.5 to an 8 on the hardness scale.
These emeralds, however, differ from here on. They are a unique dark green color that’s incredibly clean and bright. Now most emeralds don’t end up being clean, and it’s hard to find uncut emeralds with not too many inclusions.
Some of these specimens tend to be a bit more blue or yellow green.
They have excellent transparency and clarity, even without treatments. That’s why they’re sought after in jewelry and other settings. There are a lot of impurities and chromium within the stone, aiding to the appearance.
These stones are hard to mimic, and really can only be found if you look through a loop or see a fluorescent red light that comes off it.
Swath emeralds symbolize the heart and virtues, as the deep green in this is really a show stopper. The cuts on these tend to be cleaner, and they have a natural spark to them that can’t be beaten.
Cultural and Economic Impact of Swat Emeralds
Swat producing these has caused so much impact over the years.
We mentioned before the ancient romans. They loved swat emeralds, but also royalty in Persia, Greece, Egypt, and other cultures used these.
While in the past, they were mined specifically for royalty, these days they’re used to give a prized level to them. Some of these emeralds were even thought to be on the same level as the ones in Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley.
These days, while there are some concerns with mining, they are still exported today. Over 70% of these alone are exported directly to China for polishing and cutting, providing a brilliant stone that’ll is not be missed.
The prices of these can vary, with the lowest of these being around $800 to even 10 grand per carat in these. They tend to be on the much higher end, for a good reason.
Most of these however, tend to be smaller than a carat.
In this day and age, you see these fitted into jewelry, and while not sold anywhere, these Sweat emeralds are the perfect addition for jewelry shops that are looking to bring something impactful, and unique to the table, offering a value that cannot be beaten.
The chakra Connection
One thing that swat emeralds have that differs from others, is the connection to the heart chakra, one of our major chakras of the body.
Chakras are a term that refers to the natural energies within our bodies. With the heart chakra being at the epicenter of the chest, it’s supposed to represent compassion and love, and it will attract those who are like minded.
Along with this, we have the emerald meaning of new hope, beginnings, devotion and commitment. Balanced heart chakras lets you be more integral, honest, and treat others better. The connection to the crown chakra, which lets you see beauty, along with the earth chakra, is a great way to build a connection with the world around you.
They’re not only beautiful, but they’re impactful in many regards, and there is a reason that they’re some of the most important jewels out there today.