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Modern-day Indiana Jones travels the world in search of
precious gemstones
By KRIS
HILGEDICK
News Tribune
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Gary Bowersox and Kas Mahfood go through
some of gems he has brought with him
from around the world, including
war-torn Afghanistan. (Stephen
Brooks/News Tribune photo)
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Jefferson
Citians had a chance to meet a modern-day Indiana Jones
this weekend, when Gary Bowersox -- who travels the
world hunting for precious gemstones -- spent Friday and
Saturday showcasing his wares and sharing his story with
visitors at Kas A. Designs, a local jewelry store.
Bowersox's career
takes him to some of the most remote, mountainous, and
often war-torn places on the planet. In the last few
decades, much of Bowersox's time has been spent in
Afghanistan. He's written two books on the gem mines of
that country.
Bowersox said despite the wars that have ravaged that
country, Afghans are some of the happiest, most generous
people he's ever met. He said Americans sometimes
conflate material possessions with happiness, but
Afghans enjoy life.
"They have a good sense of humor, they know how to have
fun," he said.
Often, the remote mines can only be reached by horseback
or foot. Bowersox travels in the garb of an Afghan
merchant -- round felt cap, beard and flowing robes.
In the U.S., Bowersox travels with a collection of rare
artifacts, gemstones, and, of course, wares to sell. One
of his exhibits is a 169-caret aquamarine. Another is a
massive 32.32-caret ruby he's named Kuh-i-Lal, or
mountain of stone.
(He keeps mum on how he safely transports his collection
from city to city.)
Bowersox has spent 34 years working with the gem fields
of central Asia. "I teach mining and exploration to the
Afghans and I buy some material from them," he
explained.
It's his goal to help the villagers of Afghanistan
improve their quality of life by teaching them better,
safer techniques for mining the precious stones.
According to Bowersox, if wars and tribal conflicts were
not tearing the country apart, Afghanistan could produce
between $300 million and $500 million in colored
gemstones annually. The country could be a major source
for numerous gemstones, including emerald, aquamarine,
tourmaline, morganite, kunzite, pink sapphire, ruby and
the country's most famous stone, lapis lazuli.
"The potential is unbelievable," he said.
The precious blue stone -- which reminded ancients of
the starry night sky -- was used to decorate funeral
objects in the tombs of the Egyptians. Some of the lapis
mines are 7,000 years old.
Much of the material is located high in the Hindu Kush
mountain range, where snow-capped peaks rise about
25,000 feet along the Pakistani border. Most Afghans
live in the high, narrow valleys of the Hindu Kush.
The Hindu Kush is also the notorious hideout for Al
qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.
Bowersox is a former U.S. Army major and Vietnam
veteran. In the days after Sept. 11 -- because he is one
of the few Americans to have explored remote Afghanistan
-- he was called to consult with the U.S. military.
It was a troubling and sobering experience.
Although somewhat critical of the U.S. government in his
book -- particularly its support for Pakistan -- he said
security conditions have improved in the country.
"It's a lot better. I didn't get shot at once on this
(last) trip," he said. "At least it's not a hot war."
Bowersox, who is unmarried, isn't a man who tolerated
boredom easily. He sold a chain of jewelry stores when
they caused him to feel tied down and never pursued
accounting, his original career choice.
When he's not traveling abroad, he's traveling in the
U.S.
"I do 40 shows a year," he said.
He met Kas Mahfood, the owner of Kas A. Designs, at a
symposium in Tucson.
"Why don't you come and see me?" she asked him.
khil@newstribune.com
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Jefferson City News Tribune |
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Mahfood ring design earns award
By KRIS
HILGEDICK
News Tribune
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Kas Mahfood stands at one of her
counters filled with original jewelry
designs. She and fellow designer, Jon
Niemann, won an award for their creative
designs.
(News Tribune/Julie Smith photo)
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When Kas
Mahfood recently won a prestigious design award at the
Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association's annual
competition, naturally she was gratified. But Mahfood
brings an innate enthusiasm to all sorts of projects,
from renovating an antique building to helping with a
neighborhood festival.
One could say her
enthusiasm for life is as brilliant as the fiery gems
that grace her designs. Or, as Mahfood herself put it:
"I was jumping up and down and screaming!"
Mahfood is the owner of Kas A Designs, a jewelry store
at 308 W. Dunklin St.
In May one of her designs was selected for a first place
award in the 2005 Jewelry Design Competition, held in
Springfield.
The ring that won is a diamond/square-shaped item
encrusted with pink sapphires, diamonds and a rare shade
of lime-tinted Pakistani peridot.
The piece won not only for its unique design, but its
superior craftsmanship. It was built by Jon Niemann, who
works for Mahfood.
She said Niemann is a expert at pavé settings. (Pavé
means "to pave" in French.)
Niemann literally paved the surface with small, round
stones, she explained. It took him four days of work to
create the piece.
"It's gratifying to be recognized among your peers," he
said.
"Jon has a lifetime of practice," Mahfood added. "It's a
dying art to be a good pavé setter."
Mahfood said abstract and asymmetrical designs often win
the art competitions.
"But I don't think that way. I make jewelry that is
wearable," she said.
Her instincts range to the colorful, shimmery and unique
-- but with certain symmetrical boundaries. "I love
color combos. I've specialized in color gems for years.
The best thing is, now I'm in style," she said.
She particularly likes creating matching jeweled sets.
"It makes a woman look put together and fully
accessorized," she added.
The ring already has been sold to a frequent customer of
Mahfood's who resides in California. But Mahfood is
keeping the work for a few weeks so her customers have a
chance to see it.
"It's a unique design. Not anything I've done before,"
she said. "You spend so much time on an award-winner.
It's nice to be first."
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