The Middle Eastern origins of certain precious jewels have been traced in an innovative move by researchers.
They used a technique with the potential to prise open the backstory of valuable stones, including those set in royal crown jewels.
Gemstones from ancient mines were analysed using modern spectroscopy to provide unprecedented insight into historical trade routes.
Researchers were able to decipher a gem's past and the journeys it has taken, unlocking previously hidden histories.
“Gemstones such as emerald and peridot have been mined since antiquity,” study author Adel Surour said. “For example, royal crowns in Europe are decorated with peculiar gemstones that originate from either Africa or Asia.”
The new approach enables a precise differentiation between natural and synthetic gems and offers a deeper understanding of their respective characteristics.
Some of the gemstones have provided a window into historical trade routes thanks to their particular elemental composition and atomic make-up, which act as a type of identifying fingerprint.
A study, published in AIP Advances, involved rapid analysis of gemstones found in the Arabian-Nubian Shield, which were compared with counterparts from around the world.
The shield is a vast treasure trove of mineral deposits in present-day Egypt and Saudi Arabia dating back to Earth’s earliest geological age.
“We showed the main spectroscopic characteristics of gemstones from these Middle East localities to distinguish them from their counterparts in other world localities,” Mr Surour said.
Peridot, a semi-precious olive green crystal used in jewellery. All photos: Getty Images
Peridot, pictured here in its rough form, has been mined since antiquity.
Beryl crystals come in a variety of colours - when they're green, they are better known as emeralds.
Amethyst gets its signature violet hue from iron impurities.
Modern spectroscopy techniques allow researchers to determine the origin of gems like Amazonite, pictured here.
The deep green colour of dioptase crystals comes from its copper content.
The team focused on various silicate gems such as emeralds from Cleopatra’s mines in ancient Egypt, plus other stones from historical sites mostly dating back to Roman times.
The study was able to conclude that specific gemstones including amethyst, peridot, amazonite and emerald are originally from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
For each, analysis allowed for the identification of their unique fingerprint, which helped in the determination of their origin and differences.
The study concludes that, despite their unique lines, these gemstones share elements due to their collection from various environments.
Locations of the investigated gem minerals from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. 1. Peridot, Zabargad (St. John’s), off the Egyptian Red Sea coast. 2. Peridot from Harrat Kishb (volcanic field), Saudi Arabia. 3. Emerald and amazonite, Wadi Sikait, Wadi El Gemal area, Egypt. 4. Low-grade emerald (beryl), Wadi Ghazala, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. 5, Amethyst, Aswan area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Photo: Khedr et al
The researchers used three types of spectroscopy to identify elements that influence colour, differentiating stones found in and outside the region, and distinguishing between natural and synthetic gems.
The iron content, for instance, correlates to the purple in amethysts, while elements such as copper, chromium and vanadium play significant roles in colour.
A unique water peak is present in lab-grown synthetic gems, distinguishing them from their natural counterparts, despite their otherwise identical appearance.
Royal crowns in Europe are decorated with peculiar gemstones that originate from either Africa or Asia
Adel Surour, study author
The crystalline structure of amazonite beads also highlighted differences among those from Mexico, Jordan and Egypt.
“We need to have precise methods to distinguish the source of a gemstone and trace ancient trade routes to have accurate information about the original place from which it was mined,” Mr Surour said.
Not only is the study the first to successfully distinguish certain silicate gemstones – peridot, beryl/emerald, amazonite and amethyst – originating from ancient Egyptian mines using molecular and elemental spectroscopic methods, but it also characterises gems from Saudi Arabia.
Beyond geology and archaeology, the study's implications could be crucial to the gem industry itself.
The ability to differentiate natural gems from synthetics and accurately determine their origins could lead to better authenticity checks and regulations, researchers said.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE) TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
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Arabians won the final by eight wickets
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An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.