corundum, Afghanistan.12, Tajikistan.12, spinel, beryl, emerald, tourmaline, spodumene, aquamarine, lapis lazuli, gems

Mineral News, March, 1996: This is the first comprehensive book on the geology, history, and lore of the gemstones and gem deposits of Afghanistan. This book is well documented and the reference list of each chapter is extensive. Although, most of these references are on the history and geography of Afghanistan, there are many references on the geology and gemstones. The authors have been associated with Afghanistan gemstones and mining for many years. They have worked with three Afghan governments, the Soviets, and the Afghan miners developing the gem deposits. This book takes the reader through the history of Afghanistan, to the recent war with the Soviets into the present times. The Geology is explained with information on the region and descriptions of each deposit. The discovery of each deposit is discussed as well as the present situation and mining. ....Naturally this book's emphasis is on gem materials, but there is much here for the mineral collector too. Obviously, most gem deposits also produce specimens suitable for any mineral collection and many of the deposits described have produced specimens that make it to the mineral market and not the gem cutting tables around the world. Although the geology descriptions are sometimes brief, Gemstones of Afghanistan is a good source of information on the mines, mining methods, geology, and minerals/gem materials Afghanistan produces.