Nuristan Panjshir Valley Jegdalek and Badakhshan are the four major regions which are rich in such precious stones as lapis lazuli emerald ruby and
kunzite.
UBAIDULLAH QADRI: Pakistan has enormous wealth of expensive gems such as ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, pink topaz, sapphire, zircon, feldspar, agate, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sphene, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and
kunzite etc.
This week, I shall focus on Pink
Kunzite, which has shades of both pink and a pale violet.
Fifteen years ago Jean-Claude acquired the mine from the garimpeiro and dealer Jair Medeiros (nickname: "Linguica"), during whose time the mine produced 1200 kg of gem-quality
kunzite, the largest complete crystal weighing 50 kg.
The first was George Frederick Kunz, a mineralogist; although mostly based in Paris, he travelled widely and discovered and popularised native American gemstones, especially bright blue Montana sapphires and Mexican fire-opals (lilac '
kunzite' was named in his honour) and freshwater pearls.
A pale pink
kunzite was found at the Pala Chief mine in 1902 near San Diego in California and now the state is still the second largest producer in the world - the largest being in Afghanistan.
Black V-neck dress pounds 39, magenta heels pounds 55,
kunzite and diamond pendant pounds 15,500, Roulette earrings pounds 1,400, pink leather pearl cuff pounds 660 and, cover, Multi-coloured drop earrings pounds 3,500, green beryl and pearl pendant pounds 1,900Purple ruffle collar jacket pounds 89, denim mini skirt pounds 25, black belt pounds 25, silver vest pounds 6, black boots pounds 89, multicoloured drop earrings pounds 3,500, green beryl and pearl pendant pounds 1,900
Malik Saleem said that Pakistan has enormous wealth of expensive gems such as ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, pink topaz, sapphire, zircon, feldspar, agate, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sphene, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and
kunzite etc.
The most expensive so far -- Greenberg is still cataloging items -- is a $2,500 pink variety of
kunzite from Afghanistan.
Internet and cable sales channels have played their part by promoting lower-cost jewellery using lesser-known stones such as iolite, morganite, chrome diopside, heliodor and
kunzite to a wider market.
diopside, moonstone, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sapphire, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise,
kunzite and all known varieties of quartz.
Nuristan Panjshir Valley Jegdalek and Badakhshan are the four major regions which are rich in such precious stones as lapis lazuli emerald ruby and
kunzite. The abundance of gemstones reserves and their many varieties make them one of the prime drivers of economic growth in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has huge wealth of expensive gems such as ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, Pink Topaz, Sapphire, Zircon, Feldspar, Agate, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sphene, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and
kunzite etc., which need exploitation.
The other gemstones mined in the valley are beryl (pink, blue and multicolored), danburite and
kunzite spodumene.
Malik Shahid said Pakistan had enormous wealth of expensive gems such as ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, pink topaz, sapphire, zircon, feldspar, agate, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sphene, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise and
kunzite etc.
