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Sedimentary processes and Gemstone Accumulation

Conference Paper · November 2017

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Pavanesh Kumar Singh M. Adnan Quasim

Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh Muslim University
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 Sedimentary processes and Gemstone Accumulation
Pavanesh K Singh, Sadique Ahamd, and M. Adnan Quasim
Aligarh Muslim University, AMU, Aligarh, 202002
Email: singhpkalig@gmail.com

Sedimentary processes can transport, refine, and concentrate the gems (e.g., diamond, garnet,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot) as they are heavier in comparison with the sediments eroded from
pre-existing rocks. The other factor includes diminishing in water or wind current. The placer and
beach deposits found around the world contain most of the durable gemstones. The
transportation and deposition can be by rivers (fluvial), the sea (marine), along the coast (littoral),
or by wind (aeolian). Though, the original home of these stones is igneous rocks but they are
transported after mechanical weathering and deposited into the sedimentary basin. Gold is
concentrated as an eluvial deposit, as the gem quality olivine or peridot in New Mexico and
Arizona. Placer deposits are accumulated where the resistant minerals and rock fragments
become the sand and gravel of stream beds. The minerals produce in this way are chemically
inert, mechanically strong, high hardness and density. Placer deposits can become cemented into
sedimentary rock misleading people who concluded diamond and gold formed in the sandstones
or conglomerates. Such type of diamond deposits are found in Vindhyan Supergroup. Dense
gems, metal, and coarser grained detrital material make up the placer deposits. Modern alluvial
deposits (those sediments deposited from rivers and streams and still uncemented) are one of
the best places to start a search for gems and precious metals, because their drainage basin may
encompass many square kilometres of area and the sediments derived from weathering of the
landscape of the region are then concentrated into a few or single river channel. Rivers are thus
followed by prospectors (those seeking valuable earth materials) from downstream upstream
towards the rivers head where it begins. The point bar is on the inside curve of a stream meander
is more likely to have the heavy mineral concentration than in a straight stretch of a river channel.
Ancient sedimentary rocks may have a similar origin to present day sedimentary deposits, but
they are typically cemented together by mineral precipitates.

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