Gem Merchants

MINED, STOLEN, BOUGHT, SOLD, COVETED, AND KILLED FOR!Mark Branson, a young British emerald buyer, has every reason to remember all these facets as he journeys from the sedate, gentlemanly world of Hatton Garden,London's center for precious stone trading - to the deep African bush in search ofthese glittering green gems. Mark knows only too well that anyone caught emerald trading would land in jailwith little or no resource to any Embassy. Armed only with his lucky emerald,given to him by an African mine owner, and his quick-witted inventive mind,he has to learn swiftly who to trust, who to bribe, and who to avoid. In a world where jewels are expensive and life is expendable, he encounters hard-drinking Irish missionaries, smooth double-dealing Indian money dealers, hostile Afrikaners, and tantalizing local women - not to mention the trigger-happy ZambianPolice and Army. Based on the author's own extraordinary experiences in gemstone trading, Mark'sexploits have a ring of authenticity that cannot be faked. YOU WILL NEVER JUST GLANCE AT ANY EMERALD AGAIN!