Shefa Gems – A science of faith and natural resources in the field of geology and exploration for gemstones
The prestige a gemstone brings to almost anything attached to it, prompts us to think of its original source and how and where we search for such beauty. Gemstones have been mentioned as many as 3,329 years ago in the bible, and still intrigue us to this day. Read on for more gemstone facts and fundamentals. Shefa Yamim is a multi-commodity gemstone exploring the untapped land in Israel, uncovering unique and rare collectable branded stones.
What is Mineral Exploration?
As a foundation of mining, mineral exploration plays a significant role in today’s global economy. Greenfields exploration (also called grass-roots exploration) is the preferred method to establish mines. It looks for new deposits in virgin mining areas away from any pre-existing operations.
Shefa Yamim’s exploration is currently at this level of exploration.
The land of Israel is full of all types of natural resources. From a geological perspective, Shefa Yamim’s exploration targets have delivered the entire GEM suite of minerals (Diamond, Moissanite, Corundum: Sapphire, Ruby, Carmel SapphireTM and Hibonite). The largest of these is gemstones. Although the Kishon River and its ancestral counterparts are small-scale systems, their characteristics are similar to rivers in other parts of the world mined for their precious minerals. Consequently, the same tried-and-tested exploration methodologies used for these other rivers have been applied here in Israel.
Not surprisingly, this enterprise has foundations in scripture, particularly Deuteronomy:
For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.
(Deuteronomy 8)
For they will be nourished by the abundance of the seas, and by the treasures hidden in the sand”.
(Deuteronomy 33:18-19)
How Did it All Get Started?
One obvious question is why search for gemstones in Israel versus other parts of the globe where these stones are ample? And how did this all get started?
The inspiration sprung from a visit from the mayor of Haifa at the time, Aryeh Gurel. At the meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe described a miracle God performed hiding treasures and gemstones in the valley and the sea near Haifa to Mr. Gurel.
Avi Taub is a scholar of gemmology and jewelry. He received the message and together with a group of others who had full confidence in the Rebbe’s vision, rolled up their sleeves and embarked on a fascinating venture where the biggest names including DeBeers and others agreed the findings are unique, and the potential is huge. The combination of faith and science is what makes Shefa Yamim so interesting. We turn now to Isaiah to find further evidence of the venture’s righteousness:
“O poor tempestuous one, who was not consoled, behold I will set your stones with carbuncle, and I will lay your foundations with sapphires . And I will make your windows of jasper and your gates of carbuncle stones and all your border of precious (desirable) stones “.
( Isaiah 54:11)
More Details
Greenfields exploration can be a risky business but also can yield high rewards when exploration turns to mining. Exploration must be systematic to allow for target elimination so the gemstones with the best potential can be identified most efficiently and evaluated further. Shefa Yamim exploration methodologies are designed with this strategic, step-by-step approach in mind.
In contrast, Brownfields exploration pursues new deposits in the vicinity of established mines and/or known deposits. While it has a lower risk, the playing fields and discoveries are generally smaller.
Precious Minerals
All precious minerals fed into a river system will be trapped. These ‘geological traps’ are like fish nets. Depending on the conditions and certain qualities, high concentrations of precious minerals can accumulate. That’s why the Kishon River – a placer target – is the focus of Shefa Yamim’s exploratory mission.
Kishon River exploration is now at an advanced stage where DMCHmineral content is being rigorously assessed. A geological model is guiding an evaluation of the more encouraging part of this target. The River’s Mid Reach area is being assessed through bulk sampling and additional drilling. Zone 1 bulk samplingThe sampling will provide a more representative result. Any gaps in the geological information will be addressed through additional drilling.
Abundance of Information
We have an abundance of geological information from sampling, drilling, and surface mapping. The data is currently being integrated, collated, and interpreted using state-of-the-art, three-dimensional geological software.
Investing in Israel
When the Lubavichter Rebbe was asked for his advice about investing in the Holy Land, his response was intense, “My advice is that Israel is one of the surest places in the world, and this means that everyone who invests his money in Israel – this is the surest bank that exists in our time.”
