KAS A Designs

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Gary Bowersox and Kas Mahfood go through some of gems he has brought with him from around the world, including war-torn Afghanistan. (Stephen Brooks/News Tribune photo) Jefferson Citians had a chance to meet a modern-day Indiana Jones this weekend, when Gary Bowersox -- who travels the world hunting for precious gemstones -- spent Friday and Saturday showcasing his wares and sharing his story with visitors at Kas A. Designs, a local jewelry store. Bowersox's career takes him to some of the most remote, mountainous, and often war-torn places on the planet. In the last few decades, much of Bowersox's time has been spent in Afghanistan. He's written two books on the gem mines of that country. Bowersox said despite the wars that have ravaged that country, Afghans are some of the happiest, most generous people he's ever met. He said Americans sometimes conflate material possessions with happiness, but Afghans enjoy life. "They have a good sense of humor, they know how to have fun," he said. Often, the remote mines can only be reached by horseback or foot. Bowersox travels in the garb of an Afghan merchant -- round felt cap, beard and flowing robes. In the U.S., Bowersox travels with a collection of rare artifacts, gemstones, and, of course, wares to sell. One of his exhibits is a 169-caret aquamarine. Another is a massive 32.32-caret ruby he's named Kuh-i-Lal, or mountain of stone. (He keeps mum on how he safely transports his collection from city to city.) Bowersox has spent 34 years working with the gem fields of central Asia. "I teach mining and exploration to the Afghans and I buy some material from them," he explained. It's his goal to help the villagers of Afghanistan improve their quality of life by teaching them better, safer techniques for mining the precious stones. According to Bowersox, if wars and tribal conflicts were not tearing the country apart, Afghanistan could produce between $300 million and $500 million in colored gemstones annually. The country could be a major source for numerous gemstones, including emerald, aquamarine, tourmaline, morganite, kunzite, pink sapphire, ruby and the country's most famous stone, lapis lazuli. "The potential is unbelievable," he said. The precious blue stone -- which reminded ancients of the starry night sky -- was used to decorate funeral objects in the tombs of the Egyptians. Some of the lapis mines are 7,000 years old. Much of the material is located high in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where snow-capped peaks rise about 25,000 feet along the Pakistani border. Most Afghans live in the high, narrow valleys of the Hindu Kush. The Hindu Kush is also the notorious hideout for Al qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. Bowersox is a former U.S. Army major and Vietnam veteran. In the days after Sept. 11 -- because he is one of the few Americans to have explored remote Afghanistan -- he was called to consult with the U.S. military. It was a troubling and sobering experience. Although somewhat critical of the U.S. government in his book -- particularly its support for Pakistan -- he said security conditions have improved in the country. "It's a lot better.

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