Articles
Gem News
Film
GeoVision, Inc. offers DVD copies of
a 52 minute, $500,000.00 documentary film.
"July 2001. Gary Bowersox travels into the Hindu Kush Mountains of
Afghanistan to find the oldest mine on earth. Rich Blue Lapis, the
precious gemstone that decorates the death mask of King Tutankhamun, is still mined
in the remote mountains. The journey there involves slipping over the border
at night and climbing some of the highest passes on earth. Traveling by
horseback, Gary follows in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco
Polo.
In the nearby Panjsher Valley, Gary meets old Afghan friends and visits
emerald mines. The vein of raw gemstones was uncovered by Russian bombs,
and is now one of the most important sources of emeralds in the world.
The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan is a great adventure to discover some of
the most spectacular mines, scenery and people on earth."
Expeditions
2003 Expedition: Two Expeditions are being planned for the summer of this year (2003).
- July 2003 - Tajikistan Expedition - This expedition is to expand on the
2001 expedition of gathering information on the gemstones of Tajikistan and
their locations.
- August 2003 - Afghanistan Expedition - This expedition is scheduled to
field six foreign geological and mining experts with twelve Afghan miners to
develop an optimal program for advancing geological surveys and training
of miners with a goal to jump start an employment program and provide foreign
currency to the new government of Afghanistan. This program will depend
on available funding.
2002 Expedition:
The 2002 Expedition was an expedition through northern Pakistan to Kabul to meet
with the new government leaders.
(See slide show #9)
2001 TV Filming Expedition to Egypt and Central Asia:
A 2001 Expedition to Egypt and Central Asia is
now complete. GeoVision, Inc. and Free Spirit Films have joined
together to film and document for TV the 7,000 year old trail from the
lapis lazuli mines hidden at altitudes of over 12,000 feet in the Hindu Kush
Mountains to Egypt. The film features the intrigues and dangers along this trail by told by such adventures as Gary Bowersox, Marco Polo, and Alexander the Great. Carved scarabs (family seals) and
antique lapis statues, jewelry and mask made for the Egyptian Pharaohs
are filmed as well as modern lapis pieces. The documentary film is
scheduled
for release January 2002. (See slide show #8).
2000 Expedition: In the year 2000, their was heavy fighting in
Afghanistan. Therefore, Gary Bowersox elected to travel alone into the
country. After meeting with gem miners in Tajikistan and purchasing a 50
Spinel from Kuh-i-Lal, Gary waited in Dushanbe for Commander Ahmed Shah
Massoud to send a helicopter for him. Once in Panjsher, Gary plans was to
continue mapping the emerald mining area using satellite maps and GPS
readings to refine ground truth on the satellite map. However, the
fighting
intensified, bombs were being dropped and the valley was surrounded on
three
sides by the Taliban/Pakistan Army and Bin Laden's troops. Once the
helicopter was no longer available for escape, Gary decided to travel the
110
miles by heel and toe express (walking) and horse thru the Hindu Hush
Mountains to Chitral Pakistan. After reaching Pakistan, Mr. Haider (owner
of
The Mountain Inn and Gary explored a new fossil field at 13,000 feet which
was located north of Chitral at the base of Mt Tirichmir (25,500 feet). (See slide show #7).
Symposiums
The 8th Symposium on the Gems and Minerals of Afghanistan was held
in Tucson, Arizona, USA on February 10, 2002. The goal of this symposium is
to review the knowledge of gem mining in Afghanistan and produce a plan for
an August 2002 Expedition Team. The goal of the 2002 Expedition
is to formalize a plan to jump start the gem and mineral mining
for the new government of Afghanistan and to create as many mining jobs as
possible.
Gary W. Bowersox, President, GeoVision, Inc. was invited by The Gemological Institute of America to present a poster session at the International Gemological Symposium to be
held in San Diego on June 21, 22, and 23. Gary's presentation was titled "Central Asia: A prime Source of Gemstones for the 21st Century (Afghanistan, Kazakistan, Kyrgistan,
Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan)." Click HERE for abstract.
The 7th Symposium on Gems and Minerals of Afghanistan was held on the 4th & 5th of February, 1998 in Tucson, AZ. Since 1998 the political situation in Central Asia has
prevented miners and scientist from attending an 8th Symposium.
Gems
From the 70 carat Ruby rough purchased at Jegdalek, Afghanistan (see Slide
Show #1, Slide #15), GeoVision presents for sale a 32.23 carat ruby and diamond 18kt
gold pendant valued at $77,000.00. The ruby was cut by Bart Curren of
Glyptic Illusion fame and the pendant was designed by award winner Gregg
Crawford. The ruby and diamond pendant was featured in the Summer 1998
issue of Gems & Gemology.
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