Hello r/gemstones,

I’m from Panjshir, a valley in northern Afghanistan renowned for its beautiful emeralds and tourmalines. My relatives work in mining these gemstones, and their stories and experiences have inspired me to pursue a career in gemology.

Although I’m not a gemologist yet, I’m passionate about learning more about gemstones, their formation, and how to evaluate and work with them. Unfortunately, resources for studying gemology are limited where I live, so I’m looking for online courses, books, or any advice on how I can get started in this field.

If you have recommendations for affordable or free resources, online certification programs, or just general advice for someone starting out, I would be incredibly grateful.

To share a piece of my homeland, I’ll also attach a photo of a Panjshir Emerald one of the treasures that sparked my interest in this field.

Thank you for any guidance you can offer!