Centers for Ethio Mines Development

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Browsing Centers for Ethio Mines Development by Author "Aselefech Mitiku (Ms.) (Co-Advisor)"

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    Value Addition of Ethiopian Gemstones
    (2023-06) Mehatebe Gebrewold; Abubeker Yimam (PhD); Aselefech Mitiku (Ms.) (Co-Advisor)
    Ethiopia is well recognized for producing gemstones. Numerous high quality gemstone varieties, such as opals, emeralds, sapphires, amazonite, amber, rubies, tourmalines, aquamarines, chrysoprase, peridot, chalcedony, obsidian, agate (scapolite agate), jasper, petrified wood, and various types of quartz, including precious quartz, are the main gemstones mined in the nation. However, the industry continued to generate little appreciable economic advantage because the country mostly exported rough gemstones with no added value. This project study intends to demonstrate the technology needed for adding value to various Ethiopian gemstones and the associated financial advantage. The following measures were taken in order to add value: Sorting the chosen gemstone by specie, selecting clean, color-full, large (excellent size to cut) pieces from the rough collection, cutting, polishing, and ultimately faceting of the chosen gemstone. The value added gemstones are then each given a physical description based on their Color, Clarity, and Cut. Finally, a price estimate has been generated for the gemstones with enhanced value. The project's findings showed that enhancing the value of the rough gemstone might produce earnings of up to 1,610,590 ETB/Kg of Opal, 293,560 ETB/Kg of Crystal Quartz, 213,040 ETB/Kg of Green Obsidian, 48,565 ETB/Kg of Jasper, 43,730 ETB/Kg of Agate and 43,675 ETB/Kg of Black Obsidian. As a result, small-scale gemstone business owners can profit from the high prices of their products and the country can increase the foreign currency revenues from selling the value-added gemstones by adding value to the rough gemstones through the use of relevant technology.