Gems, mineral show gets underway in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: A three-day Gems and Mineral Show organised by the Gemological Association of Pakistan got underway on Friday.
About 82 gem and jewellery exhibitors from the four provinces of the country, Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan have set up stalls in the back hall of the Nishtar Hall at the event. The stalls included the precious and semi-precious, cut, polished, raw and unpolished stones.
Shakeel Waheedullah, Chairman Gemological Association of Pakistan, said the gem and jewellery sector was devastated over the last few decades. But the environment improved after the Zarb-e-Azb Operation and other efforts as the trust of the people had been restored. It also encouraged the gem dealers to turn up at the exhibition that is providing a marketing opportunity for their products, he added.
He said demand for the gems was low due to improper marketing of the precious minerals across the world. Shakeel added that the world best quality stones from Pakistan and Afghanistan including ruby, tourmaline, peridot, emerald, aquamarine, topaz, spinel, agate, malachite, were put on display in the exhibition.
Shakeel Waheedullah said invitations were sent to high commissions and embassies to send their trade attachés to the exhibition, but many of them could not get no-objection certificates for attending the event.