Student, Shoukria positions a stone for cutting at the Turquoise Mountain Gem cutting class on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The mineral resources of Afghanistan are relatively unexplored even with Afghanistan's mineral wealth of coal, copper, gold and iron ore, with precious and semiprecious stones, including high-quality emerald, lapis lazuli, red garnet and ruby. Given the country's remote and rugged terrain, on-going instability plus an inadequate infrastructure and transportation means that mining is still difficult. While many are trying to bring positive changes, Afghanistan's mining industry uses unregulated, primitive methods and outdated equipment. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Afghan teacher Abdul Azim works with 3rd year student Nazila (L) on the cutting wheel during a Turquoise Mountain Gem cutting class on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

At the Turquoise Mountain Gem jewelry class, students make rings on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Afghan teacher, Abdul Azim works with students at the Turquoise Mountain Gem cutting and polishing class on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Student, Rohina uses the cutting wheel to shape a stone at a Turquoise Mountain Gem cutting and polishing class on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Afghan men do business buying and selling emeralds from the Panjshir at Shams market on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Emeralds from the Panjshir at Shams market on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

A ring with a ruby and diamonds worth over 2,500 U.S. dollars is shown by a gem dealer at Shams market on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

A Lapis ring is on display along with other jewelry at a shop on Chicken street on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

An Afghan man discusses the price for some Lapis ornaments at a shop on Chicken street on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Abdul examines emeralds from the Panjshir at Shams market on May 18, 2011, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)