A three-day training workshop on ‘Gemstone Identification and Evaluation’ commenced here today at Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) with an objective to give basic knowledge of identification of gemstones to the common people and especially to those who are in this field.
Addressing the workshop, jointly organised by PMNH and Pakistan Gems & Jewelry Development Company (PGJDC), PGJDC Executive Officer Chief Bakhtiar Khan said Pakistan was blessed with vast natural reserves of precious and semi-precious coloured gemstones. These include ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinal, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl, purple beryl, sphene, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, kunzite and almost all known varieties of quartz.
He said Pakistan was ideally placed for the industry to flourish and grow to meet the international challenges, if channelised in the right direction. PGJDC Chairperson Senator Ms Semeen Yousuf Siddiqui, speaking as the chief guest, said, historically, Pakistan has a rich tradition of jewellery designs and craftsmanship, being handed down from Ghandhara civilization, Alexanderian period and various other dynasties which ruled the subcontinent and finally the Mughal era.
She said capitalising on its vast natural resources, low labour costs, skilled craftsmen, and growing national and international demand, Pakistan has the potential to become a regional hub for precious stone cutting and jewellery manufacturing.
Ms. Sameen said the main objective of PGJDC is general uplift of the industry and increasing the competitiveness of gems & jewellery sector.
Addressing the participants, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairman Dr Manzoor H Soomro said PSF encourages knowledge and research-based workshops and seminars.
Workshop on gemstones’ identification begins
