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Afghanistan: Panjshir (Panshjer) Valley Gem Mines

Afghan emeralds come from the Panshir Valley (Panshjer or Panshir, Panjshir) that extends through the Kapisa, Parvan, and Panjshir province, from Kabul to the Khyber Pass. The Panshir Valley is nestled in the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range, bisected by the Panjsher River. Mines within the Panshir (Five Lions) Valley are the Bakhi Mine, Butak mine, Buzmal mine, Darkhenj mine, Panjahir, and the Badel mine and in Nangarhar Province.

The majority of emerald mines are situated between the Dar Khenj and Rewat rivers, that are tributaries of the Panshir River. Emeralds occur in gabbro dikes and/or quartz schists and shales, found along fractures that have been altered by hydro-thermal activity.

For additional information on Afghan emeralds, go to: www.gems-afghan.com

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