The roof of the world – a world of eight-thousanders and mountaineers? It is far more than that – it is a world of minerals and gemstones of previously unknown beauty.
 Icy peaks and sun-scorched deserts are the two extremes that collide in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In deposits reaching altitudes of up to 5,000 meters, magnificent treasures are unearthed under the most challenging conditions. For a long time, access to these precious stones was extremely difficult. In this issue, you will learn everything you need to know about the minerals and gemstones of this outstanding and inexhaustible region.

 Contents:
 Once Karakorum, always Karakorum (Herb Obodda)/Since Alexander the Great: Gemstones from the Silk Road (Vera MF Hammer)/Himalayan Treasure Trove (Bernhard Grasemann and Erich Draganits)/Image Gallery - Minerals of Afghanistan and Pakistan from AZ/Garnets instead of garnets (Vera MF Hammer)/Pegmatites: Always ready for a surprise (Vera MF Hammer)/Gemstone Pegmatite: The Aquamarines of Nagar (Vera MF Hammer)/World Famous: Sapphire, Ruby and Spinel (Vera MF Hammer)/Badaghshan: Lapis Lazuli & Co. (Vera MF Hammer)/Of emerald-green, grass-green and turquoise-green stones (Vera MF Hammer)/Alpinotype fissures: Tormiq Valley, the Miners' Wall of Pakistan (Vera MF Hammer and Andreas Weerth)/Maps and list of the 100 most important locations (Andreas Weerth) and Michael Huber)/New Finds - New Minerals (Andreas Weerth)/Literature.
 With cover, 100 pages in lapis format (21 x 30 cm). Published: 2003