Juergen Freund / Andamooka opals held in hand, South Australia, June 2011

Juergen Freund / Jewelmer Pearlfarm, Goldlip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) with golden pearl on beach, Palawan, Philippines, May 2009

Ashley Cooper / Copper deposits in a cliff at Almirante Brown, Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsula.

TJ Rich / Cutting sapphires using traditional equipment, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, December 2012.

TJ Rich / Cut, polished and rough sapphires, Sri Lanka.

TJ Rich / Gemstone dealers, China Fort, Beruwela, Sri Lanka, December 2012.

TJ Rich / Sapphire cutting, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, December 2012.

TJ Rich / Rough gemstones in hand of miner, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, December 2012.

Steve O. Taylor (GHF) / Miners panning for diamonds in a pool, Kono District, Sierra Leone, 2007.

Steve O. Taylor (GHF) / Miners panning for diamonds in a pool, Kono District, Sierra Leone, 2007.

Steve O. Taylor (GHF) / Miners panning for diamonds in a pool, Kono District, Sierra Leone, 2007.

Pete Oxford / Precious metal beetle (Pelidnota sumptuosa) Yasuni National Park, Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador. South America