Television Documentary Series: “Beautiful Gem Stories”
The unique allure of jewelry and the excitement of the global gem industry are captured in the Japanese documentary series “Beautiful Gem Stories.” The program is broadcast on BS-TBS channel, a subsidiary of Tokyo Broadcasting System, and hosted by longtime G&G contributor and editorial board member Dr. Ahmadjan Abduriyim (Tokyo Gem Science, LLC and GSTV Gemological Laboratory). Hour-long episodes examine the growth of gemstones deep under the earth’s surface and the mining methods to recover them, as well as the characteristics, craftsmanship, and cultural significance that make them special.
Since 2016, Dr. Abduriyim has filmed on location at important gem deposits in Madagascar, Mozambique (figure 1), Tanzania, Namibia, Sri Lanka (figure 2), Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. He has also gone to natural and cultured pearl localities in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Japan, as well as global manufacturing centers, museums, and trade shows.
After monthly episodes from 2016 to 2018, four new episodes are broadcast per year now. With more than one million regular viewers, “Beautiful Gem Stories” has been warmly received.
“The financial crisis that hit the Japanese economy in 2008 took a heavy toll on consumer interest in jewelry,” said Dr. Abduriyim. “But I am very grateful to contribute to restoring the jewelry industry in Japan and throughout the world with an enlightening look at gemstones.”
