Kashmir to Pamir, from June to August
2006,
Summer
2006: Gemmological expedition report
to Ruby, Emerald and Spinel mining
areas in Central Asia.
By
Vincent Pardieu
and Guillaume Soubiraa
(Published on Sept
2006, last modified Mar 2008)
Purposes and Objectives:
Communication from
AIGS gemological laboratory, Bangkok Thailand:
The
AIGS is known to have one of the
best collections of colored gemstones
both natural and synthetic available
for both the gemological laboratory
and the gemological school. In order
to keep this collection up to date,
we have decided to continue to invest
in the field trip program we started
last year with a four
month field trip to South East Asia
and African mining localities
in order to collect first hand
information and new gemological
samples from the important gem mining
and trading centers around Thailand.
This year, after witnessing the
arrival in Bangkok of many noticeable
attractive rubies from Tajikistan,
and heard about a new emerald mine
in Chinese Xin Jiang, we decide
to explore and study Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Tajikistan and Western China ruby
and emerald deposits. Thanks to
the support of the GGL (Gubelin
Gem Lab), and ICA members, ambassadors,
and directors and also Guy Clutterbuck,
Richard
Hughes and the Azizi
family, AIGS was able to complete
an ambitious two month field trip
program to these countries in effervescence.
Communication from
Gubelin Gem Lab, Luzern, Switzerland:
The GGL is constantly investing in updating its database and reference collection of coloured stones from all relevant mines worldwide.
The gemmologists of the GGL are regularly traveling to new mines to collect sample material, and are also using trusted sources:
well-reputed, knowledgeable geologists, scientists, and gemmologists which can guarantee the authenticity of the collected samples,
and ensuring that the collected material is from a specific mine. Our relationship with AIGS, and the professional experience
and integrity of Vincent Pardieu convinced the GGL that we want to support this field trip. We therefore decided to provide
financial support for this project, allowing us to get sample material for our reference collection from many different mines
with a high level of authenticity and credibility.
Communication from the
ICA (International Colored stone Association):
ICA mission statement calls for the awareness, understanding and promotion of gemstones.
The association, through its more than 500 membership network of the most important miners, cutters, dealers and gemological
labs in 42 countries, provides the gem industry with concrete and on-site information. One of the main tasks of ICA is to
assist investigative laboratory missions by facilitating firsthand contacts and local knowledge of gemstones and mining locations.
Vincent Pardieu has become a reputed laboratory and field gemologist and is also a member of the ICA Communications Committee.
The AIGS, GGL and ICA collaboration has permitted the success of this exceptional endeavor which provides the gem and jewelry
industry with a deep insight of the gem production side and contributes to the construction of an invaluable database and a
high level and authentic source of information.
Part
0: Presentation about the AIGS,
GGL, ICA fieldtrip reports. (The
present page)
Part
1: Pakistan 2006: The Central Asian
capital of the gemstone trade. (visit
here)
Part
2: Afghanistan 2006: Land of beautiful
gems and unique people. (visit
here)
Part
3: Tajikistan 2006: Gems from the
Pamirs. (visit
here)
Part
4: China (Xin Jiang) 2006: Emeralds
from the silk road (visit
here)
You can also visit our 2005 fieldtrip reports:
Part
1: Introduction: Fieldtrips to Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos, Burma (visit
here)
Part
2: Report about Vietnam (April -
May 2005) (visit
here)
Part
3: Report about Sri Lanka (May 2005)
(visit here)
Part
4: Report about Madagascar (June-
July 2005) (visit
here)
Part
5: Report about Kenya (July 2005)
(visit
here)
Part
6: Report about Tanzania (August
2005) (visit
here)

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