[brownman]

Just my 0.02, Mountainous regions of Asia have some potential, they are all slowly opening up either via trade or war. if you are able to get around northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, there are a few sapphire and emerald mines out there in the mountains. Had an uncle and his buddy venture out there when times were better a few years back. You get good quality for dirt cheap but it's raw and unpolished. If you can get them done by a gem cutter in south Asia and set by a jeweller, you're in the money. The guy made a few solid jewellery sets for his wife, cost him a tenth of the valuation. Has some business potential but you need some serious balls to head out that way now, it's some blood diamond level shit.