Gemstone supply chains and development in Pakistan: Analyzing the post-Taliban emerald economy in the Swat Valley.

Highlights • Gemstones and (re)production of the tainted image of post-conflict locations. • Gemstone origin as a major value determinant. • Swat emerald and post-conflict development opportunities and place promotion. • Preventing future conflicts in Swat through fostering economic resilience. Abstract This paper critically examines the social dynamics of emerald mining in the Swat Valley and its impact on the broader gemstone processing sector in Pakistan. In particular, it pays attention to problematizing the existing structure of artisanal, small-scale emerald mining, and its fragmented supply chain that grapples with a branding stigma of gem origin. It also considers an export-led beneficiation industry within Swat to generate sustainable livelihoods and help prevent future conflicts through fostering economic resilience. The paper emerges with inferences that while the literature on colored gemstones is increasingly critical of fragmented supply chains, it should also consider the role that gemstones can play, as a constitutive and representational force, toward (re)production and (re)engineering of the "tainted" image of post-conflict locations. This is particularly the case because gemstone origin is a major factor in value determination. Areas of conflict that have previously caused negative branding of gemstones can later be transformed into post-conflict development opportunities and lead to positive branding. Approaches for pursuing such a strategy are explored in the context of Pakistan's emerald industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]