Gems and Jewels: Passing Down Specialized Knowledge and Skills in Pakistan’s MineralRich Province of Balochistan

Abstract

Gemology and jewelry training are at the core of what the Gems and Jewelry Training and ManufacturingCentre in Baluchistan’s mineral rich province in the southwest of Pakistan does and stands for. Widespread poverty,illiteracy and resistance against foreign influence set a stark contrast to what is happening within the circuit of artisanswhose surface this descriptive social analysis is an attempt to enter more deeply into this world hidden from the outsidegaze. For this study, mixed research methods were used like participant observations, focused group discussions andhousehold questionnaires for a tool for data collection. Contradicting, what one may expect the data revealed that thevast majority (95 percent) of this study participant were young and educated. In addition, 55 percent of their incomecomes from applying the acquired specialized knowledge and skills. On average, they saved Pakistani Rupees266,311/- a year, which is a commendable amount considering the local circumstances. Nearly all of the respondentshad received practice-oriented education from the Gems and Jewelry Training and Manufacturing Centre. Faceting is,besides knowing the qualities of precious and semi-precious stones, a core focus of the training program. Theprogram’s alumni had originally learnt of the Centre’s existence through sign boards, the Internet, and print media.Their savings, interestingly, are spent on education, with their children going to private schools. About two thirds of theinterviewed men and women confirmed that on completion of their training, they purchased raw materials/gems. Theyalso bought mobile phones and motorbikes, which they considered to be part of the ‘tool kit’ required to be successfulin their business. Importantly, about half of the respondents regretted not having been able to set up their own business,partly because they lacked the requisite business skills. Hence, based on this field-based survey, we a comprehensivestudy program is required at the college-level that combines gemology, gem cutting and faceting and fine and fashionjewelry, with business administration and marketing. Ideally, this would be carried out in collaboration withprofessional schools and colleges from China, The United Arab Emirates, and Thailand in order to give greaterimportance to this sector with its high development potential.