By Faiza Tehseen

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (INP-WealthPK): Lapidary or value edition to precious, semi-precious stones and gems can be a source of earning a sustainable livelihood for women in Pakistan, especially those less educated or living in the areas where these natural treasures are mined.

Talking to WealthPK, Mohammad Yaqub Shah, principal geologist in the Islamabad-based Global Mining Company and former general manager geology in Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, said that women in Gilgit-Baltistan are more enthusiastic about learning the gems craft than other areas of Pakistan. However, he said women, particularly those less educated, must be trained in such crafts to improve their financial resources.

Shakirullah Orakzai, in-charge gemmology laboratory, National Centre of Excellence, Geology, University of Peshawar, said: “It is very important to train women in lapidary, faceting and stone crafting to help them generate their own sources of income.”

He said that gem stone crafting is considered a domestic industry worldwide as the machines required for this work are single-phased and can be used easily at homes. “Women can make unique designs of jewellery and even can prepare beads of great value to be used in rosaries and necklaces. It will be a valuable addition to the abundant and good quality raw material available.”

Nasir Abbas, who is a lapidary expert, gemmologist and master trainer of lapidary and stone carving in Gilgit-Baltistan-based Rupani Foundation, in a discussion with WealthPK shared his views about the training of women concerning gemstone lapidary and semi-precious stone carving. He said there is vast potential for women to work in this segment in Gilgit-Baltistan.

“Gemstone and semi-precious stone crafting must be developed as a cottage industry in these areas. In Gilgit-Baltistan, more women need to join the field as the quantum of work is growing. The gem crafting in the region is not mechanised, which lowers the production levels and increases the costs. On the other hand, machine-enabled production will boost productivity and lower the overall costs. So, there is a need to train the local women in mechanisation and marketing of gemstones,” he explained.

During a discussion with WealthPK about the importance of lapidary learning in Pakistan, especially in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gemmologist and miner Zakirullah said: “It is not only good to increase their home incomes but it is also an addition to the country’s development sector.”

He called for involving women folk in the business as they were more work-oriented. “Training centres equipped with lab, lapidary machines and carving instruments should be set up for training of the women. He pointed out that in Jaypur, India, every home owns a small carving/lapidary operated by women folk. Such type of work spirit is also needed in Pakistan.”

Managing Director of Azhar Gems and Minerals, Skardu, Haji Zarmast Khan told WealthPK that training of women in mineralogy, gemmology and lapidary should be conducted at the official level not only in Gilgit-Baltistan but all over Pakistan.

He said though in Gilgit and Skardu, the main cities of Gilgit-Baltistan region, women are getting training, training centres should also be established in far-off areas of the region to help women earn a good living for them and their families.

Ms Rukhsana, owner of Silsila Gems and Jewellery, Gilgit, during a discussion with WealthPK, said that she has been in this business for the past few years. “My company deals in gems, beads, handmade jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones, etc.”

She said in her gemstone jewellery unit, she produced both traditional and modern jewellery designs. “Most women do the lapidary to add value to precious gems,” she said, adding there is dire need that women get training on use of modern equipment to boost the sector.

Ms Rukhsana said sophisticated instruments are still not available in the local markets and the ones that are available are too expensive to afford.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk