VirtuGem Countries of Origin

Zambia is endowed with gemstones throughout the country though only two areas are gazetted as gemstone mining areas.

These are the Lufwanyama Emerald mining area and the Mapatizya amethyst mining belt.

The following are gemstones mined in Zambia:1. Emeralds found in Lufwanyama on the Copperbelt province2. Aquamarine in Lundazi, Chama, Nyimba in Eastern Province, and Itezhitezhi and Mkushi in the central Province.3. Amethyst in Mapatizya in the Southern province, Mumbwa in the central Province, and Solwezi in the Northwestern province.4. All sheds of tourmalines in Lundazi, Nyimba in Eastern Province, and Mkushi in the central province.5. Citrine in Solwezi in the Northwestern province and Mansa in the Luapula Province.6. Red garnets and Rhodolite garnets in Lundazi and Chama in the Eastern province.7. Clear quartz in Mapatizya in Southern province, Mkushi and Mumbwa in the central province, and Solwezi in the Northwestern province 8.Sugilite in Mansa in Luapula Province.

Though the country is rich in gemstones the sector has not been able to contribute significantly to the growth of the Zambian economy because most of its operations are in the category of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining and require capital investment to increase production. There is also a need to invest in marketing and value addition of the gemstones from Zambia.

There are a variety of gemstones mined in Kenya. Kenya is famous for Tsavorite Garnet or Green garnet which is named after the Tsavo area where it was first discovered.

Other gemstones mined in Kenya are Aquamarine, Green Beryl, Iolite, Ruby, Sapphire, Colour change garnet, Grossular Garnet, Rhodolite, Pyrope, and Red Garnet, Quartz, Kyanite, Apatite, Epidote, Idocrase, Tourmaline, Kornerupine, and Spinel.

Most of the gemstones are mined in the South – East area of Kenya in Taita Taveta and Kwale Counties.

Other areas with gem deposits are Turkana, Baringo, Kitui, Kajiado, Garbatullah, Lodwar and Embu. Mining in Kenya is still in its infancy. Many areas especially in Northern Kenya largely remain untapped.

There is a need to increase mining activities in Kenya. Most of the mining is done by small-scale and artisanal miners. The challenges they face are lack of machinery, expertise, access to capital, and access to the market.

There are a variety of gemstones mined in Kenya. Kenya is famous for Tsavorite Garnet or Green garnet which is named after the Tsavo area where it was first discovered.

Other gemstones mined in Kenya are Aquamarine, Green Beryl, Iolite, Ruby, Sapphire, Colour change garnet, Grossular Garnet, Rhodolite, Pyrope, and Red Garnet, Quartz, Kyanite, Apatite, Epidote, Idocrase, Tourmaline, Kornerupine, and Spinel.

Most of the gemstones are mined in the South – East area of Kenya in Taita Taveta and Kwale Counties.

Other areas with gem deposits are Turkana, Baringo, Kitui, Kajiado, Garbatullah, Lodwar and Embu. Mining in Kenya is still in its infancy. Many areas especially in Northern Kenya largely remain untapped. There is a need to increase mining activities in Kenya.

Most of the mining is done by small-scale and artisanal miners. The challenges they face are lack of machinery, expertise, access to capital, and access to the market.