Success brings a chapter to a close...as well as an opportunity for you!

“The Butterfly Effect” explains that small movements in one part of the world can impact many in far distant place. In my presentations, I describe the Afghan non-profit income-generating jewelry project as my personal humanitarian effort to make a difference in the lives of people whom I admire, people struggling to support themselves in a war ravaged homeland, and people too proud for charitable handouts.

Small Beginning . . . . . Great Success

To help the Afghan people earn an income and a means of support, in 2002 I brought over used tools and equipment for the purpose of the Afghans learning how to make jewelry. Then in 2003, I established the non-profit Inside Afghanistan project to inform through presentations, as well as sell jewelry with gemstones and silver mined by the men, then designed and handcrafted by the women. Since then $1,500,000 has been sent back to the village in Afghanistan. This income-generating project has succeeded beyond my highest expectations and now no longer needs my direct involvement. The win-win success is that the Afghans have taken their business worldwide, continuing to grow the jewelry project and prosper.

Good News for you. . . . . low prices until there is no more

The good news for my loyal customers and their friends, is that in spite of increasingly higher prices for gemstones and silver, I will be selling off my inventory for the same low prices as before. I have not increased the jewelry to reflect the current market. When my inventory is depleted, the non-profit Afghan Jewelry Project will close, and my life will move on.

Better than Ever and Available More Widely

Those of you who have followed me all these years have seen how the jewelry has evolved from the tribal to the sophisticated, one-of-a-kind sterling silver with the Balinese influence. Currently more than 24 Afghans are traveling the world selling their wares at the international gem and jewelry shows; and retail outlets. Many of you may have perhaps seen the traveling show at Costco –well, the Afghans themselves arranged that lucrative contract and are now looking to QVC!

Purpose Fulfilled . . . Goal Achieved

Every year since 2003, I have assisted the Afghans at the Tucson Gem Show in presentation, inventory selection, security, selling techniques for gem shows in the United States, pricing, labeling, customs clearances, pro forma invoices, financing, banking, invoicing customers, and product and showcase displays, as well as raising the profile of Afghan traders exhibiting in Tucson.

The main purpose of their participation was first to showcase Afghan gemstones to the world - to let people know that Afghanistan is the source of some of the finest rough as well as cut emeralds, rubies, aquamarines, tourmalines, kunzite, silver and lapis - and secondly to directly link the Afghan merchant traders with the thousands of international gemstone buyers who attend the gem show annually.

This venue has been a good opportunity for creating business deals, business to business meetings and informing the world about local production. With similar programs ongoing in the future the local production will be developed both within Afghanistan and in international markets.

Changes within Afghanistan

The Afghan Gem Cutters and Jewelry Association have selected a Board of Directors in Kabul. They have received a grant to enable the association to register with the government, establish an association office, and receive management training. This grant will also assist those working in the field of gem cutting, polishing and jewelry to produce products of a higher standard, able to compete on the international level, creating new jobs and increasing incomes for the industry and the country at large.

On November 14, a gemstone bazaar opened in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The opening ceremony was attended by over 200 people, including the Governors of all the neighboring provinces.

After the ceremony at the Governor’s palace, the delegates moved to the new bazaar for a ribbon cutting ceremony and exhibition. As gemstone traders proudly exhibited their products, customers and delegates admired the impressive gem displays including the mounds of raw aquamarine, tourmaline and emeralds recently mined from the mountains of Nuristan.

The market will house over 20 gemstone trading small and middle enterprises, many of whom have recently returned from refugee status in Pakistan.

The Guild’s activities include advocacy and lobbying, and running a savings cooperative for its members. It is setting up a gemstone processing and jewelry training center to teach gemstone cutting and polishing, jewelry design and manufacture. The guild is being provided with tools and equipment as well as the skills training for members and non-members. Participants will pay fees for this training which will increase the income of the Guild.

What can be accomplished with a vision!!

$ave even MORE... click here on the increase of silver prices

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