Gilgit Baltistan has the unique distinction of being the convergent point of the three mightiest mountain ranges in the world, namely, the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush. These ranges have many of the world’s highest peaks and the world’s largest concentration of glaciers outside the Polar Regions.

Nature has bestowed Gilgit Baltistan with pristine beauty, high peaks, snowy mountains, fresh water lakes, lush green fairy meadows, at the same time this area is also blessed with unlimited and heavy deposits of precious and semi-precious stones, precious & semi-precious metals, and industrial stones like Ruby, Gold, Topaz, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Epidote, Paragasite, Zircon, Actinolite, Lead, Moonstone, Himalayan Quartz, Emerald, Marble, Granite, Feldspar, Mica, Calcite, Feldspar, Antimony, Graphite, Alum, Coal, Copper, Barite, China Clay etc. It is estimated that almost 95% of the precious & semi-precious stones located in Pakistan are found in Gilgit Baltistan.

Despite of the heavy gems and mineral wealth, there was no coordinated effort to reap these natural benefits through promotion of awareness about gems, skill development and market information and facilitation to the miners. The lack of a credible institution was very much felt in the public and government circles when Pakistan Gems & Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) launched a project under the name of Gems & Jewellery Training & Manufacturing Center (GJTMC) Gilgit in March, 2008. GJTMC Gilgit under the supervision of PJGDC aims to achieve excellence through improvement of human resource skills as well as extending its productions in Pakistan and in the world. GJTMC Gilgit is equipped with latest Japanese, Germany and Sri Lankan Lapidary Machines and Gemological equipment. The latest machinery, experienced faculty, cooperative staff, exposure of the live mines of Ruby, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Topaz, Quartz, Spinal and other gemstones and most scenic beauty of the area makes it as the best training institute in Pakistan.

Basic Features of GJTMC are as under:-

Gemology Courses (Short & Long) :

These courses offer an insight into the gemstones, their formation, their identification methods and how they can be excavated intact to their natural shape. Course participants are lectured at daily basis and they are trained on different real, synthetic and artificial stones using latest gemological microscopes and other equipments. This course helps a lot to the gem dealers and other interested people who want to excel in gemstone business in future. Duration of these courses range from 2 weeks (Short Course) to 8 weeks (Long Course).

Lapidary Courses (Gems Cutting, Faceting and Carving) :

Through these lapidary courses value addition is done to the loose crystals so that they can be used in jewelry making that result in more income to the seller and satisfaction to the buyer. Through these rigorous practical courses highly skilled and trained professionals are produced having sound knowledge on modern day cutting, faceting & carving techniques alongwith operating expertise on latest Japanese & German Lapidary Machines. These courses are also playing an important role in reducing unemployment and increasing self sufficiency in the area. Time duration of each and every specific course varies from two to twelve months.

Gem Testing (Reports on stones after scientific testing) :

GJTMC Gilgit has a very well equipped gem testing lab where people can come to test their stone and to take an authentic report from a certified gemologist. Minimum charges ranging from 50 to 300 rupees are taken for the testing, certification and verbal opinion of one stone. These reports have a worldwide recognition and acceptance because Mr. Abdul Rahman has an experience of almost 35 years and is one of the pioneer and most credible gemologists in Pakistan.

Specimen Dressing :

The removal of unattractive and unappealing segments by using different acidic and instrumental treatments in a specimen is called as specimen dressing. At GJTMC Gilgit, professionals are always ready to do this job in a manner that adds value to your specimens which in turn can increase demand for the specimen and can earn more income.

Commercial Cutting :

It is planned to start commercial cutting at GJTMC Gilgit where interested parties can approach for having industrial cut and production of their stones. Very competitive charges will be taken from interested parties based on the hardness of the material, quality and quantity of the production. GJTMC Gilgit is equipped with latest start-of-the- art machines used elsewhere in the world. We will try our best to produce the finished product up to the entire satisfaction of our customers.

Gem Exhibition Information :

The aim of mine to market facilitation is achieved through this specific feature where the sellers and buyers are brought together under one roof. The information of national and international gem exhibitions with their tentative schedules are circulated among interested groups of gem dealers and logistics such as in time processing of visas before the occurrence of the event, route information and stall booking and other related functions are performed. It is thus, the exports of gems & jeweler in Pakistan has increased earning more and more foreign remittances to our beloved country.

Current Developments :

Repair & renovation work at GJTMC’s newly acquired building near Gilgit Baltistan Secretariat is in its final stage. The new building is designed to provide all necessary space with furnished class rooms, fully equipped training, commercial cutting & specimen dressing sections, library, Gem Testing Lab, refreshment area, corporate offices and especially a wide open area for holding Gem Bazar in near future. Installation of CCTV cameras has also been planned for maximum security, control and monitoring.

Two month’s faceting and carving training of 20 students from FATA is under progress at GJTMC Gilgit. A joint venture of PGJDC and Fata Development Programme (FDP), the training is aimed to prepare and equip the youth of FATA to make them able to earn an honorable livelihood by production of cut, faceted and polished stones using locally available rough stones, to bring them in the national mainstream of Pakistan as well as to indulge them in constructive activities.