Pakistan is situated in the gem rich region of Southeast Asia along with Afghanistan and India and is a region noted for producing a large variety of minerals and gemstones. Culturally Pakistan has very close ties with the neighboring people of its border country Afghanistan. As a result of this good relationship, over 95 percent of gemstones mined in Afghanistan are traded through Pakistan. The City of Peshawar, the Capital of the North West Frontier Province, is the main center for this gemstone trade in the country. Gemstones like emerald, ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, aquamarine, peridot, topaz, diopside, garnet, quartz and lapis lazuli are being mined in Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan and exported all over the world through this city. Unfortunately due to sporadic political instability and a general lack of cultural understanding by other Western and European countries, this region has been one of the most difficult to establish as a world center for gemstone trade. A general lack of understanding of international gem market trends and demands among local dealers and miners have made the situation even more difficult. To help resolve this problem, the Pakistan Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has sponsored a gemstone trade show for the past ten years in collaboration with all Pakistani Commercial Exporters of precious and semi-precious gemstones and Mineral Associations. This has provided a platform for international gem dealers and buyers to better understand the country and its culture in relation to the gem trade in the region. These shows have been very successful and are growing rapidly in size and attendance. More information ......................

Ruby | Emerald | Amethyst | Aquamarine | Garnet | Lapis Lazuli | Moonstone | Peridot | Topaz Tourmaline