Iran Gemstone Exports One-10th of Turkey’s Despite Same Output

Iran and Turkey both produce 10 million tons of precious stones per year, but Iran’s export is less than one-tenth of the neighboring country’s, according to the secretary-general of Iranian Stone Association. 
“Presently, there are more than 2,000 mineral production plants as well as 4,000 processing units operating in the field of precious stones in Iran, which have an aggregate nominal capacity of 30 million tons of crude stone and 200 million square meters of processed stone per year,” Ahmad Sharifi also said in an exclusive interview with IRIB News.
He put the value of precious stone exports from Iran at $160-170 million per year.
There are 40 types of gemstones in Iran, according to the head of Iran’s National Precious Stone Association.
“Ten minerals, including Iranite, Braunite, Anthracite, Avinite, Khademit and Talmisite, have been registered in the name of Iran, but these capacities have not been capitalized properly so far,” Masoud Kiani was also quoted as saying by IRIB News.
According to the World Trade Organization, the turnover of precious stone industry in the world is estimated to be $1,200 billion, with Switzerland exporting about $98 billion, ranking first in the world trade market of this industry, followed by Hong Kong and the United States. India's turnover in the industry is estimated at $75 billion, of which $43 billion pertain to exports.