As many of you know, Ginger and I are leaving for east Africa in one week. Part of our mission on this trip is to be a help to those less fortunate than ourselves. During my trip this past January, I met a gentleman who we are excited to assist and support.
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 | | Arusha Gemmologoical & Jewelry Vocational Training Centre |
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Peter Salla is an aging gentleman with a passion for gems and lapidary. He directs the Arusha Gemmological and Jewelry Vocational Training Centre. I don't know quite when he started, but judging by his dilapidated training workshop in Arusha, it could be 25 to 35 years ago. Mr. Salla shared with me that over the years he has had roughly 400 trainees finish his faceting or lapidary program. His dedication to the craft is humbling.
Everything we found in the workshop was basic, rudimentary and aging. All of the workshop's gear, equipment, tooling, manuals, publications and books were out of date. Building up Mr. Salla's collection of gemological reference manuals and textbooks seemed the best place to start.
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 | | Tanzanite Rough |
We are pleased to share that thanks to the generosity of many in the trade we have collected a selection of books; some of which are no longer in print. Many are gemological textbooks that will be helpful in a teaching environment.
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