Precious stone exploration company Shefa Yamim has revealed the results from a recent study that provided details on the geology of Mount Carmel region in Israel.
Shefa Yamim found a suite of gemstones in Mount Carmel, including natural moissanite and Carmel Sapphire.
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Based on the study conducted by Macquarie University, Permo-Triassic-Jurassic rocks were found beneath Mount Carmel.
It is said that the formation of natural moissanite is extremely rare and requires extreme heat and unusually reducing (low-oxygen) conditions.
The company has discovered the largest known moissanite crystal (4.14mm) in the Kishon Mid Reach placers.
Macquarie University Geochemistry Professor William Griffin said: “The existence of large quantities of moissanite, coupled with the titanium-rich corundum, Carmel Sapphire, makes this one of the most scientifically exciting projects I have worked on.
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By GlobalData“Shefa Yamim’s exploration samples host some of the rarest and most unusual minerals on Earth. Our recent findings add to the geological history of the region and provide incentives and directions for further exploration.”
Using isotopic analyses of the mineral zircon, professor Griffin confirmed the presence of deep-seated basaltic rocks, dated to the geological age of Permo-Triassic-Jurassic times.
As part of their study, professor Griffin and his team performed analysis of 260 individual zircons from the vent rocks and tuffs of Mount Carmel.
The study group compared them with zircons in alluvial samples from the Kishon Mid-Reach placers discovered by Shefa Yamim.
Following the analysis, it was determined that the alluvial samples also contain zircons from other Cretaceous eruptions, in addition to zircons from the known volcanoes on Mount Carmel.
Researchers attributed the creation of the gemstones found on the Shefa Yamim licences to depth of formation and sequence of cooling of the older-than-Cretaceous intrusions.
The presence of ancient volcanic rocks also presents scope for expanded exploration potential in the region.
Additionally, research findings indicated that further exploration will help to unlock the potential of the geological structure of the Israeli landscape and all sources of Kishon River gemstone placers.
