Türkiye's Hidden Potential: Semi-Precious Natural Stones

Semi-Precious Natural Stone Expert and Collector Volkan Yaşar Berber attended the conference titled “Türkiye's Importance and Place in the Precious Stone World” organized at Altınbaş University. According to Volkan Yaşar Berber, Türkiye can generate 1 billion dollars of raw semi-precious stone income annually.

During the event held at the 100th Year Conference Hall of Gayrettepe Campus, the importance and potential of Türkiye in the semi-precious stone sector was discussed in detail.

Volkan Yaşar Berber emphasized the opportunities offered by Türkiye's rich geological structure in terms of semi-precious stones and the contribution of this sector to the national economy. He also shared comprehensive information about the regions where semi-precious stones are mined and the economic value of these stones. The participants had the opportunity to gain valuable information about the situation in the sector and future potentials.

Volkan Yaşar Berber stated that Türkiye has a geological feature that is as rich in semi-precious stones as it is in mineral wealth, and that the semi-precious stone sector has not received enough attention, although it should be in a very important position in Türkiye's development.

Pointing out that the tendency towards the semi-precious stone sector is not sufficient, Berber emphasized that the sector is one of the most profitable among the existing sectors. Berber said, “In this context, various quarries are operated all over the country. In particular, semi-precious stones extracted from quarries in various provinces and regions are positioned and named according to their location. Thousands of people contribute to the national economy by earning a living in this way.” 

Drawing attention to the fact that Türkiye is among the countries with semi-precious stone deposits, but it is also one of the countries with the lowest income, Berber underlined that after the necessary investment and interest in the sector, an income of 1 billion dollars could be possible. Berber continued his assessment of the sector, which could be important for Türkiye's economy, as follows:
“Considering the Middle East and North Africa, from England to the Ural Mountains, from the European continent and Iran to Morocco, Türkiye also has rich semi-precious stone deposits. In the global raw semi-precious stone trade of approximately 50 billion dollars annually, Türkiye is one of the countries with the lowest income among the 25-30 countries with the richest semi-precious stone deposits in the world. If a conscious and large-scale semi-precious stone mining is carried out, it is quite possible that our country can generate an annual raw semi-precious stone income of approximately 1 billion dollars. The concept of sales strategies, which has been discussed frequently in the jewelry sector recently, has become the main issue to be considered when the current examples are considered. Considering Türkiye's geological richness, it is known that there is sufficient potential for the existence of semi-precious stones.”

Expressing his recommendations in terms of increasing the importance given to the subject, Berber said, “In particular, research in this field should be increased and investment resources should be developed.” Berber continued his speech with the following recommendations:
“Adequate R&D studies should be carried out in the sector and universities on the subject. In particular, research in this field should be increased and investment resources should be developed. Academic studies should be increased and panels, symposiums and workshops should be organized on the subject. After these programs, reports should be shared and the sector should be made aware. In addition, international fairs should be followed and exemplary works should be carried to fairs. New approaches and strategies for the sale and marketing of precious and semi-precious stones should be followed and determined. Since large capitals are required in this field, enterprises with strong capitals should be directed to the sector. The companies that will work towards this should monitor the current situation and take steps according to their position. For example, meticulous attention should be paid to issues such as the financial status of the enterprise, production possibilities, employment structure, compliance with technological developments. In this way, up-to-date techniques will be used, import costs will decrease and competitiveness will increase. As a result, new markets will be sought, new business lines will be developed and new export items will be created. With the implementation of modern sales strategies, the sector will continuously strengthen and become a world brand.”