Tajikistan’s Pamirs, or the Badakshan region is, due to it’s geological history, a big source for gemstones. You’ll stumble upon shops in Khorog almost everywhere. It is mostly rubies, violet and purple spinels, lazurit, lapis, jade and many more. It is even possible to find some in the mountains. I have seen tiny pieces of ruby and jade, fellow travellers found.
BUT:
as with all other precious things, this attracts offscourings. Subjects that plough through the lands and steal what belongs to the Tajiks and Pamiri. It can be widely seen in eastern Tajikistan, this is why I wrote a separate warning about the voracious dragon steals land.
I have read that the gemstone mines are owned by the government, that the miners are government employees and that the stones are sold through these institutions. Now it is not our business to judge about this and also definitely not our business to oppose against this by buying illegal. If you are caught at customs with illegally bought gemstones – you will definitely end up in jail. And who are we to see if a certificate is genuine, now that the voracious dragon fakes everything and no one actually does anything against it ????
Better check with your local Tajik embassy where and how to purchase gemstones legally. I’ll also ask competent people who know a lot about the Pamirs and will come back with their answers.
Read the website I have linked about the gemstones of Tajikistan and the Pamirs.
