RUBY: Deposits in Pakistan occur
in the rugged and almost inaccessible territories of the hilly
regions in the north making mining of this stone is extraordinarily
difficult. The most extensive ruby deposits in Pakistan are
located in the Hunza valley of the Gilgit Agency. The Hunza
ruby is of a transparent deep red variety.
The Ruby owes its colors and rarity to a trace of chromium
which settled in the mineral during crystallization. Chromium,
as a rule, appears only in deeper levels of the earth and really
rose to higher levels to combine with aluminum oxide to produce
red corundum, known as the ruby. The gem has a gradation of
colors ranging from light to deep red. It is seldom without
inclusions; almost all rubies contain tiny crystals for foreign
matter. Some have a glittering silver web of very fine futile
needles which cabochon cut display a six pointed star. The stone
being brittle is generally step-cut, whilst the 'star-rubies'
are cut end cabochon. After Burma, Hunza is the only other region
in the world that has produced "Blood Red" ruby. The
Hunza Ruby belt is 100 k.m. long and only a small part has been
explored. The prospects for developing larger and better deposits
can be exploited.
EMERALD: The best known emerald deposits
are found in Mingora (Swat). There are also lesser known areas
in the Northern Regions, where emeralds are found. The emeralds
found in Mingora occur in irregular custers or in quartz veins
of metamorphic rocks. The Mingora emerald is transparent of
a sea green color making it the most precious gem mined in Pakistan.
The emerald is a variety of beryl, incomparable in its beauty
and depth. The basic material, a beryllium-aluminum silicate
is completely colorless in its chemically pure state —
only a trace of chromium is sufficient to give the emerald its
color which ranges from pale leaf green to sea green. Emeralds
are sedum free from inclusions. Liquid or gas-filled cavities
and mineral inclusion make each stone unique.
PERIDOT: is an attractive green color
gemstone and was known as Topaz in ancient times. A large deposits
of Peridot has recently been discovered in Northeast of Naran
of Hazara Kohistan. It is mostly yellowish green, takes a good
polish, suitable specimens has faceted into brilliant stones
of high quality.
AQUAMARINES: Occur in the Shigar
Valley of Baltistan, Chitral, Kaghan and in the Neelam Valley
of Azad Kashmir. The gem is transparent and ranges from sky-blue-to
sea green in color. Like the emerald, the aquamarine belongs
to the beryl group and has a hexagonal crystalline structure,
but is always step cut.
TOPAZ: is found in Chitral, the Gilgit
Agency and Kalam in the Mardan district of Swat. The rich warm
yellow and pink colors are particularly suitable for jewelry.
The most favored cut is step cut. Pink topaz of Katlang is a
unique stone unparalleled in the world. It is found only in
Pakistan and if properly and correctly promoted in world market,
its world market price can be tremendously increased.
Pink Topaz: Natural Pink Topaz mine
is located in Katlang distt Mardan which is around 90 Km North
East of Peshawar. Being the only natural Pink Topaz, it is in
high demand. The mine is closed for the last two years because
of litigation between the mine lessee and Govt of NWFP. However
old stock is available here and there. Regular supply would
not be possible.
GARNET: is the collective title for
a certain family of minerals. They have the same basic structure
but all are not of gem quality. The pyrope which is blood red,
almandine which is purple and a grossularite which is green
occur in Dir, Swat, Quetta and Kalat divisions. Garnets are
one of the commonest gemstones widely used in jewelry. They
can be facet-cut en cabochon.
FLOURITE: is found in Chitral, Dir,
Hunza, and Balochistan with the largest deposits occurring in
the Northern part of the Koh-e-Mardan range of Kalat. It occurs
in discontinuous veins in nearly all types of rocks as clearable,
granular and all types of rocks as clearable, granular and fibrous
masse. The most common colours are green, yellow and blue, but
it is also found in various shades of red of and brown. Ranging
from transparent to nearly opaque, it can be facet or cabochon
cut.
Kashmiri Gems
In Pakistani Kashmir beautiful Ruby, Sapphire, water Malon Tourmaline
and Orange - Red Garnets are available. The mines are operational
during June - August. The stocks can be purchased in September.
Afghanistan Gemstones
LAPIS LAZULI
For the last 5000 years Lapis is being mined out from Badakhshan.
Cleopatra was among the prominent buyers who used to make jewelry
for her. Color is Berlin Blue ( Madan-e-char) to light blue
( Madan-e-Panch).
TOURMALINE
Pink, leaf green, light green, olive green, gray, blue double
colored ( Pink/Green) Triple colored ( Pink-Colorless-Green)
world famous and Abernathy available they are very clean and
big size and with cutting. Water Malon Tourmaline locally called
SOTAKAY good for carving.
KUNZITE
Afghan Kunzite specimens and cutting material is in the top
Translucent form. Colors are yellowish green, leaf green violet,
pink and colorless.
PUNJSHER EMERALD
Pegmatite Punjsher Emerald is found in sizes from few grams
to 100 grams size. Color Tinch is slightly yellowish green.
Regular supply of quality & quantity is possible.
gems, color gemstones
