Jammu University organizes workshop on gemstones, gemmology & geology

Jammu, February 21 (Scoop News) –   A two day national workshop on “Gemstones: Their Gemmology and Geology” organised by the Department of Geology, University of Jammu in collaboration with the Directorate of Geology and Mining, J and K Government took off at the University here this morning. Mr. Surjit Singh Salathia, J&K minister for Industries, was the chief guest of the function while Professor Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu presided over the inaugural function. Mr. I.A. Ashai, Director, Directorate of Geology and Mining, government of Jammu and Kashmir, Professor G.M.Bhat, Head, Department of Geology and Controller Examination,cJammu University and Dr Pankaj K.Srivastava, Convenor of the workshop were also present at the inaugural session. Prof R V Karanth, an internationally acclaimed gemmologist from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai, who is known as the father of gemmology in India was also present at the function.

Speaking at the occasion, Surjit Singh Salathia, minister for Industries, J&K government, congratulated the organisers for having organised such an important workshop which is first of its kind in the state. He said the state of Jammu and Kashmir has a very special status in the global gemstone business and is world famous for its sapphire from Paddar area in Kishtwar district. He however adding that the resource seems to be depleting and intense exploration of the new sapphire deposit in the state is required. Modern exploration techniques have to be employed for the development of the primary deposit of these gem-minerals is required to enrich the state’s mineral resource base, said the minister.

“In India the Gems and Jewellery scenario is undergoing a positive change with diamonds and colour stones,’ said the minister adding the share of India in global production of cut and polished diamond alone is about 80% in terms of quantity and about 55% in terms of value while the other coloured gemstones from India are exported in order of about Rs 1000 crore per annum. This trend is set to increase further in future.

Stressing the need to have proper characterization of gemstones, the minister said the modern state of art techniques must be employed in identification, testing, gradation and valuation of the gemstones before they are auctioned in order to fetch good price for the gemstones. He said the workshop will also explore possibility of setting up a Gem Testing Laboratory (GTL) in the Geology Department of the University so that these facilities may be utilized by various stakeholders at the doorstep and also give a boost to the gemstone industry as well as the other mineral based industry of the State. He added that J&K has immense scope for the development of Gemstone based industries.

Delivering his presidential address, Professor Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, complimented the department of geology for organising such a unique workshop. He said the University of Jammu has a long institutional history of earth sciences dating back to 1907 when Mr D. N. Wadia set up geology department in erstwhile Prince of Wales Colleges (Now GGM Science College).” He said the department of geology of the university is one the premier departments of the university which is working in the areas of sedimentology, glaciology, energy, and economic geology.

“We are planning to start courses on hydrology and soil dynamics in the Kishtwar campus of Jammu University which will go a long way in creating human resources. We should be able to create man power which can contribute significantly in the research in the field,” said Professor Sahni adding gem testing is a matter of considerable priority and it is important to have the Gem testing lab at the department of Geology Jammu university so that we have the facility that the industry can rely on. He hoped that the deliberations in the workshop for two days; will go a long way in the development of Gemstone Resource and growth of Gemstone based industry of the state as well as the country.

Dr Pankaj K.Srivastava, while speaking at the occasion said Jammu and Kashmir State has a unique place in the global gemstone resources base because of the top quality of sapphire deposits it has at Paddar area in Kishtwar district. “Though we have a very high quality of sapphire deposit the gem stone based industries have yet to be developed in the state. Further the facilities for characterization of the gemstones are also not available in the state”, he said adding a Gem Testing Laboratory is an urgent requirement for the state and they look forward to establish a state of art Gem Testing Laboratory in the Department of Geology of this University.  

Prof G.M. Bhat, Head of Department, Geology, University of Jammu said their department is one of the six academic institutes of the country where active research on fluid inclusions is going on. The researchers from different part of the country as far as Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Jhansi etc have been using the facility. The Economic Geology Group of the Department of Geology, University of Jammu is carrying out research work on the ores and minerals deposits including gemstones. I on behalf of the Department of Geology invite all the participants to use the fluid inclusion facility for their research work.

In this workshop apart from the regular lectures by the resource persons practical hands-on-training will also be given to the participants by the experts including Prof Karanth from IIT Mumbai, Dr A N Singh, Mahakoshal Institute of Gem research Jabalpur, Dr M D Sashtri, Head of Research Division of Gemmological Institute of India, Mumbai, Dr Sripal Desai, Gem Valuator and Member from Gemmological Institute of India, Mumbai, Dr J N Das from GSI, Banglore, Mrs. RR Rudra from Gem testing Lab, Kolkata and Shri Sandeep Parikh of Gem Testing Laboratory, Chennai. Geological Survey of India-Bangalore, Dr A N Singh from Mahakoshal Institute of Gem Testing and Research, Jabalpur.

The workshop is sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (Govt of India), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (New Delhi), Council of Science and Technology (J & K Govt.) and South Asian Association of Economic Geologists. 

Keeping in view the importance of Gem Stone Prospects of the State, a special session on the Gem Stone Deposits with special reference to Jammu And Kashmir State is also planned in collaboration with Directorate of Geology and Mining, J & K Government. The presentation of key Notes and papers in this session will be followed by Panel Discussions on the Development of Gemstone resource of the state.

The gemmology experts from all over the country who have converged at the Jammu University for the workshop would be exhibiting their gemstones and coloured precious stone collections at the Department of Geology from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon tomorrow.