Zabargad Island, a stunning desert island located in the Red Sea off the southern coast of Egypt, is known for its unique geological features and rich history of gemstone mining. The island’s composition of peridotite, a coarse-grained igneous rock that is rich in beautiful blue peridot gemstones, has made it a treasure trove for ancient jewels.
Despite its barren landscape, Zabargad Island has a rich history dating back over 3,500 years. In ancient times, peridot gemstones were collected from the island and used as jewelry for Mediterranean kings. The rock found on the island’s surface was initially thought to be topaz, leading the Greeks to call the island “Topazios”. However, scientists have since identified it as peridotite, which contains olivine and pyroxene minerals that can form peridot gemstones.
The formation of peridotite on Zabargad Island is a result of deep geological processes that occurred millions of years ago. Buried in the Earth’s upper mantle at a depth of over 150 km, the peridotite cooled and hardened before being pushed to the surface through tectonic plate collisions. The island, situated near the Red Sea Narrows, remains above tectonic activity due to its location on a mid-ocean ridge dividing the African and Arabian plates.
Gemstone mining on Zabargad Island continued into the early 20th century but came to a halt when the Egyptian government nationalized the country’s mines in 1958. Today, the island serves as a reminder of its rich geological history and the stunning peridot gemstones that have been prized for centuries. With an area of 1.74 km2, Zabargad is the largest island in this bay and continues to be a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore its unique features and history.
