Novello Mine

The Novello Mine sits in the southern reaches of Zimbabwe, within Masvingo District, Masvingo Province, at coordinates approximately 19° 56' 59'' South, 30° 58' 59'' East. It's a short 20.6 km drive from Masvingo city, a place framed by granite hills and sprawling savanna, offering a glimpse into Zimbabwe's natural beauty. Nearby, the iconic Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adds a layer of historical allure for visitors.

This mine is a gem for enthusiasts, primarily known for alexandrite, a variety of chrysoberyl that dazzles with its color-shifting magic—green in daylight, red under incandescent light. It's not just alexandrite; the mine also yields beryl (including emerald), phlogopite, and serpentine subgroup minerals, each adding to its allure for collectors and jewelers.

Geologically, Novello Mine is nestled within the Masvingo Greenstone Belt, an ancient tapestry of volcanic and sedimentary rocks transformed by time. The host rock, rich in phlogopite (a mica type), is surrounded by serpentinite, formed from altered ultramafic rocks, creating the perfect cradle for these rare gems.

The mine's heyday was in the 1960s and 1970s, producing larger, often non-facet-grade stones ideal for small, intensely colored gems. By 2016, however, it was quiet, with no active operations and restricted access, suggesting a shift in regional mining focus.

The region is home to the Shona people, particularly the Karanga subgroup, whose rich cultural tapestry includes traditions that might weave stories around mining and gems, though specific tales are less documented. The climate is subtropical steppe, with wet seasons from November to April and dry seasons from May to October, averaging a comfortable 22-23°C, supporting a savanna ecosystem with msasa trees and diverse wildlife.