Main Sector of relevance\IRC classification 8. Industrial Manufacturing, Material and Transport Technologies

8.70 Emerald cultivation technology

Developers’ contact information

SSPA “The Scientific and Practical Materials Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus”
19, P. Brovka Str., 220072 Minsk

Summary

The effective technology of cultivation from high-temperature emerald monocrystals flux allowing receiving crystals with unique optical quality and characteristics close to precious natural stone has been developed.

Description

Emerald characteristics:
Chemical formula: Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈:Cr
Colour: light green, green, dark green
Pleochroism: green - yellowgreen
Refraction index: 1,558-1,562
Density, g/cm²: 2,65
Hardness index (Mohs): 8.
The melt solution technology allows customizing the colour of cultivated material, and a set of defects which are similar to natural stone from deposits in Columbia, Brazil, Zambia and Russia. Cultivated emerald, similar to natural, has red colouring under Chelsea filter and does not show luminescence in ultraviolet light. The center has corresponding cutting facilities and employs the best diamond cutters for execution any kinds of gem-cutting at customer’s will.

Technology type

• Process
• Design
• Material

Technical advantages and economic benefits

The unique optical quality and characteristics close to precious natural stone. At present job lot production on the basis of our institute disposes of the productive capacity for cultivation of about 10,000 carat of emeralds annually. The cost of cultivated emerald material is $6 per carat. The weight of delivered crystals ranges from 10 to 100 carats. The cost of cut emerald is $60 per carat.

Technology differentiation and uniqueness

Realization of capital investment project oriented to creation of automated cutting powers, carrying out of marketing researches and organization of distribution network allow increasing competitiveness of native emeralds in comparison to foreign ones, and providing complete import substitution of abovementioned production in native jewelry industry.

Context in which technology was identified

Exhibitions in Minsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Turkey, USA.

Technological keywords

Emerald.

Development Stage

• Currently in use/production

Intellectual property rights

• Secret know-how

Range of applications

Jewelry industry.

Classifier Used at the EU Innovation Relay Centres

• Industrial Manufacturing, Material and Transport Technologies

Preferable Regions

• Europe
• Asia

Practical experience

Sale of emerald crystals in Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Israel.

Environmental impact

None.

Type of collaboration sought

• Venture funding
• Joint venture
• License
• For sale

Terms and restrictions

None.

Available technical assistance

• Documentation
• Personnel