armenian jewelers associ at ion

ARMENIAN JEWELERS
A S S O C I AT I O N
EAST COAST USA, Inc.
DIRECTORY
2000
See Story p. 40-41
ARMENIAN JEWELERS ASSOCIATION EAST COAST, USA, INC.
17-19 WEST 45TH STREET, SUITE 301, NEW YORK, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 302-1332 • Fax: (212) 768-2923 • E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.ajaeastcoastusa.org
HAND MADE
Plat and all karat gold wedding bands fabricated to prescribed
F.T.C. rule 24.3a. the hand made rule
SAMUEL JEWELS, INC.
17 West 45th Street #204, New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-869-5688 • Fax: 212-768-3743
Monte Carlo Designs, Inc.
Manufacturers of Fine Jewelry Line
17 East 48th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 935-5611 • (800) 227-8797
Fax: (212) 486-7972
STONE IN WAX CASTING
NEW TECHNOLOGY • NEW SAVINGS
TO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY
Stone in Wax
Raw Casting
Casting on wax set pieces overnight 10, 14, 18kt any color.
Labor charged by weight. Guarantee against burning the
stones. 10 years experience.
Settings of baguette, round or any shape
Diamonds, CZs or Colored Stones
(Except Emerald)
Metro Gold
Jewelry Mfg. Co.
17-19 West 45th St. #301
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-302-1332 • Fax: 212-768-2923
E-mail: [email protected]
AJ
A
Armenian Jewelers Association, Inc. (East Coast, USA)
Fa\ Osk;ricn;rou Enk;rakzoujiun (Ar;ul& <r=an% AMN)
17-19 West 45th Street, #301, New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 302-1332 • Fax: (212) 768-2923
Email: [email protected] • Website: http://www.ajaeastcoastusa.org
Dear Members of AJA, Dear Colleagues:
As our first service, with this booklet, we proudly introduce you to the
jewelry trade, primarily, here in the USA and why not worldwide. By
doing this, our aim is to connect you, not to separate you from the jewelry
world. The more people know about you and about your work, the more
prosperous your business will become.
We hope, with your trust and support, we will expand our activity and
especially our membership drive from New York City to the cities and suburbs of the East Coast USA. To this regard, we have already done some
mailing activity and our projection is to include in our Booklet 2001 the
names of our colleagues in the East Coast USA.
As the industry and manufacturing jewelry of the Republic of Armenia is
taking steps to penetrate in the western markets, we find it appropriate to
become involved and instrumental in getting connected, entering in joint
ventures, encouraging our trade partners to explore the possibility of taking
advantage of the existing competitive labor and expertise in jewelry manufacturing in Armenia. In this regard we hope the information we have published in this booklet will help you to find your way to Yerevan.
If the trend nowadays is towards globalization, and our activity is a minor
step towards that goal, then we consider ourselves in the game and hope
this booklet will be an instrument to introduce you to your colleagues and
vice versa.
Hope to have your support for our year 2001 booklet. In the meantime,
on behalf of the executive Board of Directors, I thank you and wish a prosperous and successful business season.
Sincerely,
Garbis Kazanjian
Executive Secretatty
PERMANENT MISSION OF
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
119 East 36th Street
New York, New York 10016
Tel: 212-686-9079 Fax: 212-686-3934
MESSAGE
FROM H.E. AMBASSADOR MOVSES ABELIAN
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE ARMENIAN JEWELERS ASSOCIATION
New York, September 22, 1999
Bringing together Armenian Jewelers and developing the jewelry industry in Armenia is a mission of great importance. The activities initiated by
your Association are highly valued by the Armenian Government and
regarded as an outstanding example of how the interaction between Armenia
and Diaspora must develop and how an Armenian professional association
in Diaspora must function. You are setting an example of business, which is
equally beneficial for you and for your compatriots in Armenia. The
Association is going to promote regional and international trade and commerce by encouraging foreign investments in Armenia. This means new job
opportunities, and every job created in Armenia this difficult period of economic transition means better life for an entire Armenian family. Another
important field of activities is prompt and efficient exchange of information
between Armenian Jewelers, which is very important as we enter the millennium of information. Today it is already obvious that united you will
become an instrument that will preserve and develop the heritage of the
Armenian Jewelry and will present it to the world through exhibitions and
publications. I seize this opportunity to express my personal appreciation
and admiration for your activities and to reassure you that the Armenian
Government will continue to be supportive. I wish all of you, dear compatriots, success in your endeavors for the welfare and brighter future for our
Motherland.
NEWSLETTER
Armenian Jewelers Association - East Coast
Branch Established
On Wednesday, September 22, 1999, the Armenian Jewelers Association (AJA)
of the Eastern United Stated was established with the participation of 70 members
and the election of 13 members for the Board of Directors. In an elegant evening at
the diamond Dealers Club on 47th Street in NYC the Armenian jewelers of the
Jewelers Exchange at 47th street and the greater New York area, came together to
confirm the establishment of the Armenian Jewelers Association. The mission of this
new organization is to bring together Armenian jewelers and develop the jewelry
industry in Armenia.
Among those present, were the representative to the U.S. from Karabagh, Mr.
Vardan Barseghyan, Director of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Public Affairs
Office and representing His Excellency Ambassador Movses Abelian, was the counselor at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations,
Arman Akopian. The AJA was first started in Armenia in 1997 and now enjoys the
existence of branches in Canada, Western United States and now the East Coast.
Hratch Kaprielian, the AJA East Coast Representative to Armenia, was also among
the honorary guests.
The purpose of this corporation is to unite individual businessmen, merchants,
manufacturers, traders, agents, industrialists and executives of Armenian descent
who are invoked in the jewelry industry to lobby and promote legislation and regulations affecting jewelry trade and commerce. The Armenian Jewelers Association
also aims to promote foreign and local investments in Armenia and the export to
foreign countries of Armenian-made jewelry and services. One of the first tasks of
the corporation is to publish a directory of jewelers, containing their names,
addresses and their line of business.
Mr. Garbis Kazanjian, who was chairing the meeting, reported that the association already enjoys the participation 105 members and that the drive for membership will continue.
The 13 members of the board who were nominated and approved by applause
are: Varoujan Arslanian, Haci Garipian, Garbis Kazanjian, Nazar Nazarian,
Varoujan Baharian, Joseph Tahtajian, Minas Vanklian, Razmig Arslanian, James
Yenijag, Apraham Deirmenjian, Zareh Karagolian, Krikor Tekeyan and Berc
Gokberk. Of those named, 10 were members of the AJA Preparatory Committee.
u
October 17, 1999
First Meeting of elected Board of Directors
The meeting took place in the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Varoujan and Alice
Baharian, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The Baharians had also invited the wives of
NEWSLETTER
the Board Members for a luncheon. After the luncheon the meeting of the Board
was called to order at 4:00 PM. Were present messers. Varoujan Arslanian, Varoujan
Baharian, Garbis Kazanjian, Nazar Nazarian, Apraham Deirmenjian, James Yenijag,
Minas Vanklian. Joseph Taktajian, Haji Garipian, Krikor Tekeyan and Berc
Gokberk. Were Absent, Razmig Aslanian and Zareh Karagolian.
2. On behalf of preparatory committee, the executive secretary reported about
the publication of a reportage regarding the general assembly. which was published
in the lnternet, in The Armenian Reporter, Armenian Radio and other papers. Also
AJA Armenia, West Coast, Belgium and Canada were informed and we received
back congratulatory messages from them. Also the secretary presented the book of
the corporation and informed that we have the necessary documents to open a bank
account. Initial membership was 106.
Left to right, seated: Nazareth Nazarian, Garbis Kazanjian, Varoujan Baharian,
Julia Hovhanessian (Secretary).
Standing: Apraham Deirmenjian, Razmig Arslanian, Berc Gokberk, Zareh
Karagulleyan, Jo Taktajian, Minas Vanklian. (Missing is Haci Garipian.)
NEWSLETTER
3. All officers were elected by unanimous vote the following way.
Chairman: Mr. Varoujan Arslanian
Co-Chairmen: Mr., Haji Garipian and Mr. Nazareth Nazarian
Executive secretary: Mr. Garbis Kazanjian
Assistant secretary for recording: Mr. Razmig Arslanian.
Assistant Secretary for correspondence: Mr. Joseph Taktajian.
Treasurer: Mr. Berc Gokberk
Assistant Treasurers: Mr. James Yenicag, Mr. Varoujan Baharian.
It was decided to open an account at the Merchants Bank of New York, 47th
Street Branch and that with the signature of two treasurers it will be possible to sign
checks for payments approved by the Board.
4. The committees were elected the following way:
Membership Drive Committee: Mr. James Yenicag, Chairman, Mr. Krikor
Baharian, Joseph Taktajian, Minas Vanklian, Zareh Karagolian, members.
Public Relations Committee: Mr. Garbis Kazanjian, Chairman, Razmig
Aslanian, Tina Bakhdamian, Talar Sesetian, members.
Ways and Means Committee: Mr. Apraham Deirmenjian, Chairman, Joseph
Taktajian, Krikor Tekeyan, Minas Vanklian, Haji Garipian, members.
5. The Executive Board decided to explore and execute the projects of having an
office and publishing a directory of AJA members.
u
February 23, 2000
Executive Board Chairman Mr. Varoujan Arslanian and member James Yenicag
submitted their written resignations.
Executive Board member Krikor Tekeyan moved to California.
The Executive Board accepted the resignations. Subsequently, the Board elected
Mr. Nazareth Nazarian as Chairman and Mr. Hratch Kaprielian as Honorary
President of the organization, and decided to continue to work with reduced members until the next General Assembly.
u
On February 20, 2000, donated by Metrogold Jewelry Mfg. Co., an office was
set up in its premises. Also AJA hired Julia Hovhanessian as Administrative
Secretary, also entrusting her with the membership drive and the directory.
Armenia Facts
Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total: 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km,
Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast
flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point:
Aragats Lerr 4,095 m
Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc,
alumina
Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 15% other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
ªOSK:GOR’OUJ|OUN - 2000º
Aprili 2-5e :r;uanoum anzkazw;z ªOsk;gor‘ouj\oun-2000º mi=axga\in ;rrord zouzafand;s-waya®qe!
A\n kaxmak;rp;l hr Fa\astani osk;gor‘n;ri ;u aknagor‘n;ri
miouj\oune^ FF ka®awarouj\an% ª:r;uani osk;rcakan gor‘aranº
"BE ;u Fa\astani dixa\n;rn;ri miouj\an a=akzouj\amb!
Incp;s ;u spaswoum hr% masnakizn;ri jwow a\n gr;j; ;rkou
angam g;raxanz;z na.ord zouzafand;sn;rin (30-iz aw;li fimnark-];®narkouj\ounn;r% fasarakakan cors kaxmak;rpouj\ounn;r%
bar]ragou\n ;u masnagitakan 5 ousoumnakan fastatouj\ounn;r%
n;rka\azwa‘ hin na;u aw;li qan 60 anfat ];®n;r;zn;ri a,.a-
Na.agaf Âob;rt Qocar\ane (a=in) zouzanmou,n;re dit;lis!
tanqn;r)! Kar;uor h% or a\s angam zouzafand;si ;u fa\ artadro[i fand;p f;taqrqrouj\oun hin fand;s b;r;l APF ;rkrn;riz
Oukrainan% Âousastane% Wrastane! Ir;nz zouzanmou,n;re% t;.nologian;rn ou t;.nikakan fnaraworouj\ounn;rn hin zouzadr;l
na;u Jourqia\i% Yaponia\i% <w;\zaria\i% Italia\i bixn;sm;nn;re!
Zouzafand;se a®an]naki f;taqrqrouj\oun h n;rka\aznoum
fatkap;s ;rkri [;kawarouj\an famar! Tnt;sakan .ist dvwarin pa\mann;roum a\n as;s fou\si mi ,o[ h% orow kar;li h a®a=-
nordw;l! Incp;s zouzafand;se m;‘ fandisaworouj\amb bazo[ FF
na.agafe% a\np;s hl warcap;te% manrakrkit dit;zin n;rka\azwa‘ zouzanmou,n;re% xrouz;zin `irman;ri [;kawarn;ri ou n;rka\azouzicn;ri f;t% ls;zin nranz kar‘iqn;re y\ou[i xargazman
pot;nzial fnaraworouj\ounn;ri% incp;s na;u a®an]in bardouj\ounn;ri ;u arf;stakan dvwarouj\ounn;ri w;rab;r\al% oronz fa[jafar;loun karo[ h npast;l ka®awarouj\oune!
ªOsk;gor‘ouj\oun-2000º-i ,r=anakn;roum kaxmak;rpw;zin s;minarn;r% modan;ri ;u xard;ri zouzadrman ,oou-‘ragr;r ;u a\ln!
A®an]nap;s a,.ouvouj\oun ;u f;taqrqrouj\oun a®a= b;r;z APFoum
ir t;saki m;= a®a=ine a\st;[ anzkazwa‘ oskou ]oulaktorn;ri
ayourde! :r;uou\je n,anaworw;z nranow% or f;nz a®a=in 'or]iz
waya®q ka\azaw!
Warcap;t Aram Sargs\ane (]a.in) zouzasrafoum!
Zouzafand;si anzkazman ard\ounaw;touj\an apazou\ze gor‘nakan fandipoumn;rn ;n ;u dranz ard\ounqoum knqwa‘ ,our= 18 mln
AMN dolari pa\managr;re!
Zouzafand;si kaxmak;rpicn;re famoxwa‘ ;n% or a\n ,at
aw;li taro[ounak ou ard\ounaw;t klin;r% ;j; masnakz;in na;u
s'\ou®qi osk;ricn;re% aknagor‘n;rn ou waya®akann;re! Da na;u
fog;banakan a=akzouj\oun klin;r tnt;sakan dvwarin kazouj\an
m;= fa\tnwa‘ fa\ bixn;sm;nn;ri famar!
NEWSLETTER
Jewelry-2000 Exhibition Opened in
Yerevan
April 3-5, 2000
Yerevan, Armenia
A jewelry exhibition opened in Yerevan with participation of jewelers
from Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and other
countries.
This was the third exhibition of this kind held in Armenia and it seems
to become a traditional one. Besides jewelry items, also the latest developments regarding jewelry designing and new equipment presented.
Jewelry and diamond processing have become most rapidly developing
industry branches in Armenia accounting for the biggest portion of the
country's export. The volume of jewelry production has increased twice and
even thrice if compared with preceding years with appropriate legislative and
customs field available.
The opening ceremony was held by Emil Grigorian, Chairman of
Association of Goldsmiths and Jewelers of Armenia who pointed out that
both the president and the government of Armenia are paying special attention to the branch's development.
President Kocharian, who was also present at the ceremony, answered the
reporters questions after a two hour scrutinizing of the displayed items.
"A very interesting exhibition," said the president "and my attendance at
such exhibitions is becoming traditional. I feel obliged to come here since
there are great prospects for Armenia in this sector. It is always a pleasure to
see not only items with new design but also new technologies and equipment. I believe that this branch will have major importance for Armenian
economy bringing new jobs and investments," said president Kocharian.
The closing ceremony of the exhibition was presided by Prime Minister
Aram Sarkissian.
FA|ASTANI OSK:GOR’N:RI :W AKNAGOR’N:RI
MIOUJ|OUN
ASSOCIATION OF GOLDSMITHS & JEWELERS OF
ARMENIA
Fa\astani osk;gor‘n;ri ;u aknagor‘n;ri miouj\an andamn;r^
ªOSK:GOR’OUJ|OUN-2000º zouzafand;s-waya®qi masnakzin;r
A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
TO THE JEWELRY 2000 EXHIBITION IN YEREVAN, APRIL 3-5
1. YEREVAN JEWELRY PLANT JSC – Jewelry Mfg. Of Precious Metals & Stones
2. ART IN GOLD, LTD – Mfg of Gold Jewelry
3. "VOSKEDZERIKNER" (Golden Hands) Non Profit Association– Applied Art
4. ART WATCH PLANT Co. – Golden Watches /hand, pocket/
5. "AGUYTS LT," LTD – Production of Precious Stones & Sales
6. ADAMAND, LTD – Jewels, Art Pieces
7. State University of Industry – Machinery & Tool Supplies, Education
8. Institute of General & Nonorganic Chemistry – Artificial Colored Stones
9. Institute of Chemistry – Investment Powder, Oven Mfg.
10. START, LTD – Mfg. of Contact & Induction Ovens
11. SHOGHAKN Co. – Diamond Cutting
12. GOY Public Organization – Applied Art Works
13. ADAMAND – Stock Exchange Activity
14. GEM, LTD – Production of Gold Jewelry
15. ALMAST Co.– Diamond Tools, Synthetic Diamond Powder
16. STANDARD, LTD. – Production of Semi-precious Stones, Stone Cutting Machinery, Tools & Equipment
17. ZANG, LTD – Sorting, Diagnosing & Certifying of Precious Stones
18. Association of the Designers of Armenia
19. Institute of Art "Roslin"
20. National University of Fine Arts
To contact with the above companies address to:
ASSOCIATION OF GOLDSMITHS & JEWELERS OF ARMENIA
12 Arshakuniats St.
Tel: (+3742) 563893
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Tel/Fax: (+3742) 525713
375023
Email: [email protected]
JOINT VENTURES - JOINT VENTURES - JOINT VENTURES
LILY
JEWELRY MANUFACTURING
ARMENIA
ARMENIA
ABRAHAMIAN SERGEY A.
Director
Republic of Armenia
378140 Area Vayots Dzor
Village Malishka
Tel: (37466) 22346/24657
CANADA
VAHE ISNAR
27 Queen St., East
Suite 200
Tel: (416) 368-9463
Fax: (416) 368-4891
E-mail: [email protected]
DIAMOND COMPANY OF ARMENIA
ARMENIA
GAGIK A. ABRAHAMIAN
President
Sovchozian 1 • Yerevan 375082
Tel: +3742-589993 / 506764
GSM: +3741-402303
Fax: +3742-151626
E-mail: [email protected]
BELGIUM
VARTKES KNADJIAN
BackesdStrauss
Pelikanstraat 62
2018 Antwerp
www.Backesandstrauss.com
JOINT VENTURES - JOINT VENTURES - JOINT VENTURES
FF ARD|OUNAB:ROUJ|AN :W AÂ:WTRI NA>ARAROUJ|OUN
ARMENIA, MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE
" Y E R EVAN JEW E L RY PLANT" JSC
The plant had advanced position in the jewelry market of the former Soviet
Union during its 50 years history. The company was highly regarded because of the
large inventory and the quality of its products.
Modern and traditional Armenian designs. Employs 2000 workers.
The products of the plant are sold in a dozen of stores belonging to the plant,
and are exported into the international market.
The Yerevan plant produces a large variety of fine jewelry and also:
• Watches, medals, and coins;
• High precision mold forms, tools, and stamps;
• Jewelry findings and earring locks;
• The plant cuts precious and semi precious stones;
• The plant manufactures hand made and machine made rope and other kinds of
chains in large quantities;
• The plant contracts gold and silver jewelry for quantity users overseas.
FF% 375023 :r;uan% Ar,akoun\az 12 - 12 Arshakuniats St., 375023 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
f;®&/tel: (3742) 563893, 525321 • `aqs/fax: (3742) 525713, 151039 • E-mail: [email protected]
For contract orders you may refer to New York sales representative Hrair
Kazanjian. Tel: 212-302-1332, Fax: 212-768-2923, Email: [email protected]
ARMENIA
NATURAL RESOURCES
The age old process of volcanic and tectonic activity that took place on the
Armenian plateau, created in its depths an unusual geological museum. The
rocks composing the earth's crust are also embedded in its depths. Armenia
has iron, copper, molybdenum, and polymetallic ores containing rare earth
elements and gold, silver, lead, and zinc. There are deposits of nephelin for
use as raw material in the production of aluminum and manganese deposits.
Iron Ores: In Abovian and Hrazdan, there are two deposits of iron ore that
are of great industrial importance. These deposits are estimated to contain
400 million and 150 million tons respectively. The average content of iron
in the Abovian ore is 28 percent and in Hrazdan ore, 32 percent. The iron
ores of these deposits are complex. In addition to the main component of
iron, they contain valuable rare earth elements of the cerium and yttrium
group, as well as dispersed elements of germanium, gallium, tallium, niobium, and tantalum. The Hrazdan deposit also contains zirconium.
Nonferrous and Precious Metals: Armenia has a strong mineral resource
base of copper molybdenum ores. Explored deposits of the world renowned
Kadjaran copper molybdenum ores are a potential source for the next 100
years The Kadjaran mining and extracting factory is the largest enterprise in
the mining industry. Connected with the indicated type of copper molybdenum ores are the explored and estimated reserves of molybdenum. the
substantive part copper reserves (90 percent). rare and dispersed elements
(rhenium, selenium, tellurium, bismuth. and germanium), and certain parts
of accompanying precious metals of gold and silver. Molybdenum and copper are the main components of the complex copper molybdenum ores. The
content of molybdenum varies from 0.001 percent to 0.1. The content of
copper traces is to 0.1 percent. The deposits of copper belonging to proper
copper include about 10 percent of explored reserves with 80 percent of copper and copper pyrites ores. In the ore veins of the Alaverdi deposit, the content of copper reaches 12 to 20 percent and more. The year 2000 is the target date for the restoration of the Alaverdi copper works plant and the construction of a new modern plant in Kapan.
Lead and Zinc: The lead and zinc ores are the second most common in
Armenia after copper molybdenum and proper copper. In the lead-zinc, cop-
per-zinc, and complex gold-polymetallic ore deposits, the average content of
lead is 1.5 to 3 percent, zinc is 2 to 6 percent, and copper, 0.5 to 1 percent.
These ores also contain valuable rare elements as cadmium, bismuth, indium. and selenium.
Gold and Silver: The deposits of the mentioned ores of nonferrous metals
are characterized by a considerable content of precious metals making the
deposits industrially important. There are proper gold ore deposits in Zod.
Meghradzor. and Terterasar. Armenia has become a most remarkable gold
bearing region. A new plant is planned to be in operation by the year 2000.
The Armenian volcanic and segmentary rocks are a useful building material. Particularly exceptional is the white, pink, orange, and black tufa all of
which are light, durable, and easily processed. They serve as a main construction and decoration material. The estimated reserve of the felzite tufa in
Armenia is 3 billion cubic meters. The country has abundant deposits of
marble, granite. high quality travertine. and limestone and small deposits of
clay gypsum (the raw material for gypsum) The Parakar deposit has a relatively large content of bihydrous gypsum (50 to 80 percent or more). The
Parakar plant is to begin operations in 1998.
Semi-Precious and Ornamental Stones
Armenia is rich with semiprecious and ornamental stones such as the jewelry agates, jasper, amethyst, serdoliks, turquoise, and different types of marble onyx. Obsidian (volcanic glass) has many variations of color and is used
in many applications. Obsidian is found in Northern Armenia, particularly
in the Hrazdan region. Jewelry and decorative art works made from these
precious stones have high artistic value throughout the world.
Despite the variety of precious stones, this area has been slightly explored
and is an underutilized mineral resource. During the last 10 to 15 years, specialized geological work has been initiated, and as a result Armenia has the
potential to become a viable precious stone region .
Common salt deposits having estimated reserves of 150 to 200bin tons have
been found near the capital city of Yerevan.