Gary Bowersox displays his book, “Gemstones of Afghanistan.” (Submitted photo)
A leading expert on gemstones of the world, Gary Bowersox will bring his exhibit of more than 10,000 gems to Karen’s Jewelers in Oak Ridge. The gem show, “Magnificent Gemstones of the World” from September 21-23, will include more than 100 different types of gemstones, many collected by Bowersox on his travels throughout the world.
Bowersox, an explorer, gem hunter, and author, has searched for emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, among other gemstones, in central Asia, riding on horseback to remote caves in Afghanistan where dynamite and grenades have been used by local miners to uncover precious gems. He has hiked through the Hindu Kush and ridden camels, mules, sheep trucks, and tanks to explore remote mines in Asia, a press release said.
The stars of the gem show include a 70-carat Afghanistan emerald pendant and a 51-carat Tajikistan ruby with matching earrings. The show, featuring rough and cut gemstones and jewelry, will include aquamarine, garnet, tourmaline, lapis lazuli, amethyst, topaz, and kunzite, as well as emerald, ruby, and sapphire. The Smithsonian-style exhibit features gems often seen only in museums.
The gem show and sale will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, September 21 and 22, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, September 23 at Karen’s Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Oak Ridge is one of 11 U.S. cities where his show is being presented this year.
Gem hunter Gary Bowersox had this pendant created from a 70-carat Afghanistan emerald, a showpiece at the Karen’s Jewelers gem show Sept. 21-23, 2017. (Submitted photo)
Considered an expert on Afghanistan and its gemstones after more than 40 years of travel there, Bowersox was in Afghanistan earlier this year with plans to establish a gem laboratory and gem cutting operation. He was a featured lecturer on “The Gemstones of Tajikistan and Afghanistan” at the Taipei, Taiwan, Gemstone Auction this year. He has traveled to more than 86 countries and has worked with gem miners in Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Thailand.
He is the author of “Gemstones of Afghanistan” and “The Gem Hunter—True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan,” and he will bring books to autograph during the gem show. He has lectured at the Smithsonian and The Explorers Club, carrying the club’s flag to Afghanistan. He has appeared on CNN, ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Fox News, National Public Radio, Voice of America, and many other radio and television programs.
Bowersox has also directed aid to the people of Afghanistan, taking eyeglasses there through the Lions International eyeglass program and delivering school supplies to children in remote mining villages through contributions from his local Rotary Foundation. He was honored with the Kamehameha, Hawaii, Lions Club Award for directing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan in 2009.
For more information, call Karen’s Jewelers at (865) 483-6717, and see the website at www.karensjewelers.com.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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