Afghanistan's gem mines are mostly family-owned or small-scale, with diggers using primitive tools. Most gems are sold outside of official channels. A lot depends on the new government, and how it behaves going forward. The other side of the story is it would be a huge blow to the artisanal and small-scale miners if the gem and jewelry sectors in the west start boycotting Afghan gems. People will go hungry. Sadly the U.S and their allies chose actors that were not working in the best interest of the Afghan people. No country wants a government that doesn't represent the people. We shall wait and see. Expect the prices for emeralds and other gems to go up.
