He’s been called a modern day Indiana Jones.
Gary Bowersox is an internationally renown explorer, author and gem hunter, and Kalamazoo native. He will present a 50-minute video, “The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan,” at the Independence Township Library, Wednesday, Sept. 10.
He will also be selling gems and unique artifacts at “The Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan and Central Asia,” an event Sept. 11-13, at Tierra Fine Jewelers.
Buck Kopietz, Tierra owner, said he met Bowersox at the Tuson Gem and Mineral Show many years ago.
“I contemplated doing a gem show with him, but never did it.”
Now, after Sept. 11, and facing the second anniversary, he thought it an appropriate time to do the show. “Now people know where Afghanistan is.”
Since Sept. 11, Bowersox, who has been interviewed by CNN and ABC’s “Good Morning America,” has become a consultant for the United States Department of Defense because of his 31 years of experience and exploration in the Afghan mines.
“The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan,” shows Bowersox hiking through dangerous terrain, sneaking across the Afghanistan border in the middle of the night, walking for days to arrive in the country’s finest mines that were uncovered during the 1980’s bombing by Russians.
“This is a really exciting program,” Kopietz said. “His stories are incredible. If people want to hear stories of adventure and intrigue, he’s done it.”
At Tierra’s, Bowersox will have for sale one of the most extensive and exotic collections of gems, including emeralds, aquamarine, kunzite, tourmaline, ruby and lapis.
“The gem stones are incredible. He also has really nice pieces of jewelry and artifacts from Afghanistan that are very unusual,” Kopietz said.
From 6-9 p.m., on Sept. 11, Tierra’s will host an invitation-only fundraising event in which 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to the Oakland Literacy Council to assist with the Council’s English as a Second Language program. The Council’s executive director, Cathryn Weiss, is a resident of Clarkston.