If you look at the map of the northern part of Pakistan
and adjacent provinces of Afghanistan,
30% of the world's gem deposits are located here. The area is not explored
scientifically i.e. proper geological mapping with reference to gem deposits
has never been carried out. In the same way, mining is also not on scientific
grounds and mechanized. However, gemstones are being mined out by primitive
methods for more than one hundred years. History of lapis lazuli, found in
Badakhshan province, goes back to five thousand B.C. utensils of Cleopatra,
other dignities of ancient Egyptians were made of lapis lazuli, and the source
of Lapis was Afghanistan.
In the same way Cleopatra used to adore her eyelids with the blue color of Lapis Lazuli.
Peshawar,
cradle of civilization is the cultural center of the areas approximately 1000
km in radius. It has remained for centuries the transit route of caravans traveling
from north to south and vice versa. Qissa Bhawani bazaar (bazaar of storytellers)
reminds one of those times. Modern days Peshawar,
going through an era of pains, is still the center of trades like dry fruit, herbal
medicines, gemstones, and carpets. Peshawarittes and Afghans though like to use
low-priced gemstones and adore their drawing rooms and kehwah khanas (green tea
houses) with carpets but prefer to make money when it comes to high priced
carpets and gemstones. Naturally, these two products find their ultimate
destination in Europe and America.
Carpets are finished and value-added products but the export of gemstones was
mostly in rough form (without value addition). For the first time Gemstone, The corporation of Pakistan
(defunct) put things in the right direction as far as gemstones are concerned.
After Gemstone Corporation was dissolved, the gem trade was directionless. The
mine owners, the miners, and the gemstone traders were not getting their due
share of gem wealth, as the export was mostly not in finished form. Even the
finished products were sub-standard and treated as pre-shaped/pre-formed.
Indians, Thais, and gemstone dealers in the west were the real beneficiaries of
Pak-Afghan gemstones. Keeping this in view, the Ministry of Commerce, Govt of
Pakistan launched a project named Gems and Gemological Institute of Pakistan,
Peshawar (GGIP). The purpose of GGIP was to equip local gemstone dealers with
modern knowledge of gemology and produce a skilled labor force for the gem cutting
industry.
In October 2001, GGIP was established
in rented premises; under the umbrella of the private sector i.e. All Pakistan
Commercial Exporters Associations (APCEA).
The objectives of GGIP are to introduce sophisticated methods of identification, value addition, and modern cutting & polishing techniques to the business community involved in the gems stones sector and newcomers. Aims of GGIP are focused to give benefits to the following areas of concerns:
1. Women Development.
2. To reduce the poverty ratio by creating maximum self-employment opportunities.
3. Boasting Gems Exports of Pakistan.
4. Equip local Gemstone dealers with modern knowledge of Gemology.
5. To produce a skilled labor force for the gem cutting industry.
6. Promote the Gems Sector of Pakistan.
7. Get maximum benefits of our gem's wealth.
8. Generate self-employment opportunities.
9. To reduce wastage and improve the quality of extracted gems.
Three types of courses were designed
with the help of professors of the department of geology, the University of Peshawar,
and leading gemstone cutters and exporters. These courses are following:-
1.
Basic Gemology
It is a two-month course. All
the gemstone found in Pakistan
and Afghanistan
are taught. Every theory is supported by practical. The difference between natural
and synthetic stones is highlighted. In addition to scientific knowledge.
Lectures on marketing, development of small and medium enterprises, and export
procedures are delivered. At the end of the two-month course, passed-out graduates
are ready to join the advanced courses in gemology.
2.
Gem cutting, faceting
The faceting course is four-month
duration. Training is given on transparent quartz, which is available on the local
market. During four months, students are trained in 30 types of cuts.
Gemology- Faceting Course Descriptions
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| GGIP student busy in gemstone faceting |
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| GGIP student busy in gemstone faceting |
3.
Gemstone cutting, carving
Opaque and translucent stones
which can not be cut like transparent stones need to be carved in different
shapes like figures, beads, jewelry items, sculptures etc. training period of
this course is again four months.
Gemology-Carving Course Descriptions
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| GGIP student busy in gemstone Carving |
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| GGIP student busy in gemstone Carving |
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| GGIP student busy in gemstone Carving |
Gems & Gemological Institute of Pakistan- Peshawar Admission form
Gems & Gemological Institute of Pakistan Address & official landline & Fax numbers:
Gems & Gemological Institute of Pakistan (GGIP)-Peshawar.
Address: Suite # 209, 1st Floor, Benevolent Fund Building, Sadder Road, Peshawar - Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa – Pakistan
Phone: (+92-91) 9213303, 9213196, 9213197
Fax: (+92-91) 9213198 , Email: ggip.eshawar@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ggip.com.pk/
Location on google map
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