Iran’s annual gemstone exports amount to 240 billion rials ($67 million at market exchange rate), with turquoise and agate accounting for the lion’s share of the exports.
The global trade value for gemstones stands at $700 billion and $280 billion worth of gold are used in making the jewelry. Iran’s share of this huge market is less than 0.01%, Mehr News Agency reported.
Almost 40 gemstones have been identified in Iran, and Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi Province is considered the richest city in this regard.
Mashhad annually produces nearly 9 tons of agate and 6 tons of turquoise, as 85% of the country’s gemstone-cutting units are located here. It is followed by Hamedan, Zanjan, Kerman and Sistan-Baluchestan Provinces.
The industry can create up to 700% of added value while its job creating capacity is significant.
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