These women that hew and cut these stones and minerals are very brave! It is very hard and tedious work! In speaking with these women they admit there are stones that they cut that they just do not know how to identify. I plan to post some exemples of these stones!I hope in the future to spend more time with some of these women!

Zourate is so rich in stones of all kinds! I guess that someone has imported lapis in exchange for some of the other stones! It is not a far-fetched idea because many new beads were brought to Africa in exchange for old beads! The new beads are better money makers in that they can sell faster and at a lower price , whereas, the old ,more valuable beads can sit there waiting for the few collectors that can pay the price!