Far Eastern Geological Institute, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia:

S. V. Vysotskiy, Head of Laboratory, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences, vysotskiy@fegi.ru
A. V. Aseeva, Researcher, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences, aseeva@fegi.ru

The Primorsky Territory holds deposits of sapphires and fire opals (exclusive in Russia) and other gemstones suitable for making jewelry, ornamentals and collectibles: danburite, topaz, beryl, tourmaline, agate, chalcedony, crystal, morion, bull quartz and other minerals, even single-point diamonds. This article describes four commercially mineable deposits. The deposits of noble fire opals and sapphires have been studied by the authors for many years. As a result, new mineralogical information about the deposits is obtained, features of supermolecular (nanolevel) structure of gemstones and their mineral associates are revealed and isotopic composition of gems is learnt. It is proved that play of color (iridescence) of Primorye’s fire opals to a large extent depends on saturation rate of the mineral with water. Furthermore, the chemistry of enclosing rock mass is investigated, the mechanisms of the deposit formation are determined. The other two deposits – Bor danburites and Zabytoe topazes – were comprehensively explored and studied earlier and, therefore, are described in this paper in brief. In spotlight of the article is the new industry creation in Primorye – production and processing of gemstones. The capital of the Primorsky Territory, Vladivostok city, thanks to its favorable geographic location, can become a hub for the production and processing of precious stones.

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