Three-day gems and jewellery exhibition opens

As the demand of gemstones continues to grow rapidly in the international market, there is a need to exploit
the country’s natural reserves to create a substantial niche in the international market for the Pakistani Gems and Jewellery Industry.
In order to showcase the precious stones and introduce the people to the potential of natural resources in Pakistan, a three-day gem and jewellery exhibition (January 21- January 23), titled ‘Islamabad Gem Exhibition’, started in a local hotel on Saturday.
Organised by the Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Production, the gem exhibition was an effort to support the economy of the country, besides highlighting the importance of the gems industry.
A large number of gems and jewellery collectors, traders, franchisers, retailers, students of natural sciences and women from the twin cities attended the opening day of the gems display.
Inaugurating the three-day, PGJDC Chairperson Senator Sameen Siddiqui noted that Pakistan’s gems and jewellery sector had huge potential to become a regional leader by adopting modern techniques and methodologies.
The senator said, “Pakistan is blessed with immense resources, especially minerals and precious stones. It is up to us to put in our best efforts to convert the potential into tangible gains to benefit the country and its economy.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Production Secretary Gul Muhammad Rind said that Pakistan was a home to over 270 varieties of precious stones. Comparing the gem industries of Pakistan and India, he said, “India earns up to $ 26 billion as foreign exchange by exporting only three kinds of stones while Pakistan manages to earn $ 300 million, despite having more than 270 kinds of stones.” Rind also promised to increase the revenues of gemstones industry in the coming years.
The production secretary said that the exhibition had helped showcase the best of Pakistani gems and jewellery under one roof. The exhibitors have displayed their products, including precious stones, which were the hallmark of Pakistan’s rich mineral resources and cultural heritage, he added.
Around 75 exhibitors, including dealers, distributors, exporters and retailers from across the country are participating in the three-day exhibition, with the aim of promoting Pakistani gems. The stalls displaying dazzling gems, stones and jewellery were divided into sections named according to regions, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan is blessed with vast natural reserves of precious and semi-precious coloured gemstones, including ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sapphire, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, kunzite and all known varieties of quartz.
Wrist watches, decoration pieces, bracelet, earrings, nose-pins, rings, and huge variety of specimens of all precious and semi-precious stones were also put on display.
The exhibition not only created an opportunity for all gem traders to display their collections but also offered a chance to the public to witness the rare gemstones and minerals of Pakistan.
Talking to Pakistan Today, gemologist and designer from Lahore Zeeshan Ibrahim said, “The purpose of this display is to introduce gem industry of Pakistan to the locals as these gems are valued by foreigners only.” He said that the samples of the precious gemstones attracted the foreigners in particular, while very few locals, who have knowledge of these stones, were interested in buying them.
“Normally, the samples of gemstones have no price tags. It varies from customer to customer, the samples of gemstones are in real natural shape thus they cost higher than the refined pieces,” Ibrahim said.
While highlighting the potential of the exhibition, he said, “Pakistan’s potential to become one of the world’s largest resources for brilliant gems will get a fillip at the exhibition. The country has a rich tradition of showcasing exceptional quality of precious stones, which adorn some of the most exquisite jewellery designs made by the world’s prominent jewellery designers.”
Salman Saeed, one of the organisers, said, “We intend to provide exhibition space for the young and dynamic jewellery designers who are thriving in Pakistan. We would like to link them to the international markets so that they are able to understand the global trends and compete with the well-known designers from all over the world.” EU Ambassador to Pakistan Lars Gunnar Wigemark said, ‘It is an excellent and well-organised display as it showcases everything Pakistan has in term of precious and semi-precious stones, which is excellent.” The exhibition attracted a large number of female foreigners in particular.
The three-day exhibition would continue from 9:00am-10:00pm and conclude on Monday (January 23).