Pakistan Gemstone History and Trade

Pakistan has been a major source of gemstones since ancient times. The region of Pakistan known as Kashmir has been famous for producing high-quality sapphires, rubies, and emeralds for centuries. In the early 20th century, the region of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan was discovered to be a rich source of precious and semi-precious gemstones, including aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz, and garnet. Today, Pakistan is one of the world's leading producers of gemstones.

Here is a list of some of the gemstones that occur in Pakistan:

• Aquamarine
• Topaz
• Tourmaline
• Garnet
• Peridot
• Emerald
• Ruby
• Sapphire
• Lapis Lazuli
• Opal
• Zircon
• Spinel
• Amethyst
• Agate
• Jasper
• Onyx

Pakistan's gemstone trade is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce, which issues licenses to dealers and exporters. The country's gemstone exports are subject to various trade policies, including taxes and duties, to promote the local gemstone industry and protect the country's natural resources.

According to the Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company, the country's gemstone exports totaled $97.6 million in the fiscal year 2020-2021. The top gemstone exports were emeralds, followed by aquamarine and topaz.

© Pakistan Gemstone History and Trade